Four members of the same family have died after reportedly eating amala in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The family’s dog also died after consuming the same meal, raising concerns that the food may have been contaminated or poisonous. However, authorities have not yet established the exact cause of the deaths.
The incident has prompted the Kogi State Government to order an immediate investigation. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo directed the Commissioner for Health to commence a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Fanwo said the fact that the family’s dog also died after eating the same food was particularly concerning and would form part of the investigation.
The Kogi State Police Command has also commenced investigations. Police Commissioner Naziru Kankarofi said preliminary findings pointed to suspected food poisoning after the family consumed a home-cooked meal.
Authorities are expected to work with relevant health agencies and other stakeholders to determine what caused the deaths and whether the food consumed by the family contained a toxic substance.
The state government said appropriate public-health measures would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
At this stage, food poisoning remains a preliminary suspicion and has not been conclusively established as the cause of death.
The tragic incident has nevertheless raised concerns about food safety and the need for proper investigation whenever several members of the same household suddenly become ill after consuming the same meal.
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