Two arrested for supplying herbal drink that killed 10 family members

By TUNDE OYEKOLA

Two persons have been arrested by the police in connection with the tragedy that struck in Biogberu village via Gwanara in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, where 10 members of a family died after consuming a local herbal mixture.

The incident occurred in the rural community last Friday, but was reported on Tuesday.

The victims were a couple and their children as well as other relatives.

It was gathered that two villagers, Okosi Musa and Worugura Julin, offered a woman, Pennia Bonnie, of the Fulani camp, Biogberu, the herbal mixture as remedy for her foot infection.

They were said to have instructed her to ensure that all her family members took the mixture to prevent the spread of the disease among them.

But after taking the mixture, all the family members died in quick succession.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the incident, said the matter was reported to the police by one Ibrahim Bonnie on Tuesday.

Okasanmi said the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Bagega, had ordered a discreet investigation into the incident.

He added that the suspects, who gave the woman the herbal mixture, were helping the police with their investigation.

Okasanmi said Bagega advised sick members of the public “to seek medical solution only in recognised medical facilities spread across the length and breadth of the state to avoid ugly incidents of this nature.” (The PUNCH)