Tragedy as family of seven die after eating cassava meal in Sokoto

A family of seven in Runjin Barmo village, Kajiji District, Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, has tragically died after consuming a contaminated cassava delicacy.

The victims reportedly consumed the meal during dinner, which is believed to have been tainted at the time of preparation. The deaths occurred shortly after eating the contaminated food.

Sokoto State Commissioner of Health, Hon. Asabe Balarabe, visited the village to offer condolences. During her visit, the village head, Malam Muhammadu Modi Magajin Runjin Barmo, confirmed that the family had consumed the cassava dish as their evening meal.

According to him, the victims who were 7 comprises of the Father, Malam Abubakar, his wife, A’ishatu Abubakar and their 5 Children.

The village head said though the incident happened on Wednesday, the cause of the death is yet to be ascertained.

He said this was because the suspected Cassava has been used by about 4 houses in the village and nor any case of ilness was recorded in those houses.

Malam Modi Magaji on behalf of people of the area, thanked the state governor Dr Ahmed Aliyu for showing his concern to them in that direction.

Speaking, the state Commissioner for Health Hajiya Asabe Balarabe said they were in the village to assess the cause of the incident for onward communication to the state government for necessary action.

The Commissioner said the ministry would take samples from one teenager who happened to be alive after eating the suspected cassava meal.

Hajiya Asabe Balarabe on behalf of the state governor Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto Condoled people of the area over the incident and prayed to Allah to forgive those who lost their lives.

She used the opportunity to call on people of the state to ensure prompt reporting of any strange disease in their domains for the ministry’s intervention.

In his remarks, the Director Health for Shagari Local government area Sani Bello Tambuwal thanked the Commissioner for her concern to and hoped the effort would be sustained.

The Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by Executive Director State Hospital Services Management Board Dr Bello Abubakar Attahiru, some Directors and other staff of the ministry.