A family of seven from Egba in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State was hospitalized after consuming poisoned pap, a local corn meal dish.
The victims, Amina Isah, a widow, along with her three children and three grandchildren, experienced severe symptoms shortly after their meal.
The affected family members, including Benjamin, Piko, Esther, and Hassan Emmanuel, began vomiting and showing signs of distress, prompting an urgent medical response. Community member Adaji, who spoke to Punch on Sunday, revealed that the elderly widow and three of the children were unconscious when they were taken to the hospital.
Dr. Oyaje Sule, the proprietor and doctor at Dr. Gana Clinic, confirmed the admission of the seven patients. “It is true they brought a woman who I have known in the community, alongside her children and grandchildren numbering seven to my clinic this morning,” Dr. Sule said. He noted that three of the patients, including the widow, were initially unconscious but have since been revived.
Dr. Sule explained that the poisoning was likely due to the use of guinea corn remnants, which had been mixed with chemicals for planting. After planting, the family used the leftover corn to prepare pap, inadvertently ingesting the harmful substances.
“What I was told is that the family had mixed chemicals with guinea corn they were to plant. After planting the guinea corn, the remaining was brought home, and they washed it and went and ground it to make pap,” Dr. Sule elaborated. “It was after they took the pap this morning that they started vomiting, and some of them were unconscious before they were rushed to my clinic.”
The ages of the victims range from three to 30 years, excluding the elderly grandmother.
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