Four members of a family at Mopa town in the Mopa-Muro Local Government Area of Kogi State, have been confirmed dead after reportedly eating cassava flour meal known as’ Amala.’
The victims—a father, his two children, and a relative living with them—were said to have passed away in quick succession between Friday, September 30 and Sunday, October 2.
It was gathered that the family prepared the ‘Amala’ meal from the left-over cassava flour from which they had previously made and eaten ‘Fufu’. They were said to have spread the processed shafts in the sun to dry for some days.
However, after eating the meal on Thursday last week, they became sick overnight and efforts were made to stabilise them.
The family’s youngest member passed away on Friday, quickly followed on Saturday by the relative living with the family.
The others were immediately moved to the ECWA Hospital, Egbe, for better medical attention. Sadly, the eldest of the daughters, Motun, gave up the ghost at about 3:00 am Sunday. The father also died later that Sunday.
The man’s wife, identified as Molomo, is still alive at the hospital and under close observation.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the palace of the Elulu of Mopa on behalf of the governor, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, assured Mopa residents of its determination to unravel the mystery leading to the death of the victims.
“The governor has directed security and health authorities to get to the root of the matter. I want to assure your highness that the reports of their findings would be made public and necessary actions taken,” Fanwo said.
Meanwhile, friends have taken to Facebook to mourn one of the victims, Motilewa Tunrayo Peace, who is said to be a National Certificate of Education holder and teacher in the town.
