Tragedy struck in the Runjin Barmo village of Kajiji District in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State where seven family members died after consumption of contaminated cassava delicacy.
The incident was revealed in a statement signed by the Information Officer, Sokoto State Ministry of Health, Nura Bello. Writing on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, Bello said the incident occurred on Sunday evening.
The statement revealed that the incident was narrated to the Commissioner by the village head of the community, Malam Muhammadu Modi.
The Commissioner who was accompanied to the area by powerful was told that the victims consumed the cassava meal during their dinner.
“The victims comprised the father, Malam Abubakar, his wife, A’ishatu Abubakar and their five children.
“The incident happened last Wednesday. And the cause of the death is actually yet to be confirmed,” Modi said.
He, however, pointed that the cause of the death is not yet known because the suspected cassava had been used by about four houses in the village. And there was no case of illness recorded in those houses.
The village head, however, on behalf of the residents of area thanked the State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu. He praised the Governor for showing concern to them at this time of mourning.
Responding, the Commissioner, Balarabe said they were in the village to assess the cause of the incident for onward communication to the state government for necessary action.
She stated that the ministry would take samples from one teenager who happened to be alive.
Empathizing with the victims, the Commissioner extended the State Governor’s condolences to the people. She prayed to Allah to forgive those who lost their lives.
The Commissioner used the opportunity to call on people to ensure prompt reporting of any strange disease in their domains. She promised them of the ministry’s prompt intervention.
In his remarks, the Director of Health for Shagari Local Government Area, Sani Bello Tambuwal, expressed gratitude for the visit. He thanked the Commissioner for her concern and hoped the effort would be sustained.
Among those that accompanied the Commissioner on the visit included the Executive Director, the State Hospital Services Management Board, Dr Bello Abubakar Attahiru. Also, some directors and other staff members of the ministry made the trip.
source: PUNCH
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