Two die, one in coma after consuming concoction during traditional festival in Ondo
THE agrarian community of Ipe- Akoko in Akoko South East Local Council of Ondo State was at the weekend thrown into mourning following the death of two middle- aged men after consuming herbal concoctions during a traditional festival in the community.
The victims: Alex Ojulewa and Samuel Alonge, who arrived in the community from their base in Abuja to celebrate the age- grade traditional festival known as ' Ibogbe', were said to have consumed the concoction.
The concoction was allegedly prepared by an indigene of the community identified as Johnson Adu, who is currently in a coma battling for survival. Eyewitnesses said the two individuals began experiencing severe vomiting and rapidly deteriorated in health shortly after drinking the concoction.
One of the witnesses, who gave his name as Tunji, said despite efforts to rush them to the nearest hospital, their condition worsened, leading to their death before medical assistance could be administered.
He said: "Alex and Samuel came home to participate in the festival. As usual, while they were celebrating the festival, they decided to drink an herbal concoction.
"It was after they drank it that they started feeling uneasy. Before we could realise what was happening, they began to vomit and later became unconscious.
"They were quickly rushed to the hospital in the community, but they died before they got to the hospital." When contacted, spokesperson for the state's Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami- Omisanya, said investigation had begun on the incident.