RismadarVoice Reporters
November 12, 2026
Several people have reportedly died, while others were hospitalised after consuming suspected contaminated herbal preparations in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident occurred in the Igede community after residents allegedly purchased herbal mixtures from three traders during the Ihiejwo market day in Oju township.
Initial community reports put the death toll at four, with 14 others receiving treatment. However, subsequent accounts from local government and police authorities gave lower figures, leaving the exact number of casualties uncertain.
An eyewitness identified as Ogbu said residents began experiencing similar symptoms on Monday, November 2, after consuming the preparations.
According to him, one person died on Tuesday, another on Wednesday and a third on Thursday, while four of the 14 people reportedly hospitalised were in critical condition.
The Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident and said three deaths had been reported to him as of Thursday, November 5.
However, the Benue State Police Command subsequently confirmed two deaths and four hospitalisations, according to a separate report.
Three suspected herbal medicine sellers, identified in community accounts as Alhaji Sule Mai Magani, Bello Mohamed and Musa Kala, were reportedly apprehended by local youth leaders and handed over to the police.
The suspects were subsequently transferred to the Benue State Police Command headquarters in Makurdi for investigation.
The President of the Igede Youth Council, John-Frank Ozzidi, called for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the illnesses and deaths.
He commended community members for avoiding mob violence and allowing law enforcement authorities to handle the matter.
Ozzidi also urged political representatives from the area to monitor developments and ensure accountability if criminal wrongdoing is established.
Meanwhile, Ominyi said the local government was working with relevant officials to provide assistance to those receiving medical treatment.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of herbal preparations sold without adequate quality controls.
However, the specific substances involved and the medical cause of the reported deaths have not been established through publicly available laboratory findings.
Authorities are expected to determine whether the preparations contained harmful substances and whether any offences were committed.
The three individuals remain suspects, and their involvement in any criminal wrongdoing has not been established by a court.
