Two persons were said to have died in Ugieda, South Ibie, in Etsako West local government area of Edo state after consuming locally brewed gin, popularly called ogogoro. This is even as three other persons, who also consumed the substance which is suspected to be contaminated, have been hospitalized with doctors battling to save their lives.
The incident is coming months after several persons reportedly died in Ondo and Rivers states, after consuming similar substance.
It was gathered that the five persons complained of unusual hotness and aches in their stomach after consuming the local dry gin.
Narrating how the incident occurred, one of the eyewitnesses, Lukman Rilwan, said: “After they had consumed the Ogogoro, they began complaining of stomach ache. Unfortunately the two died while three are currently hospitalized.”
The traditional ruler of the community, the Aidonigie of South Ibie, Alhaji Kelvin Danisi, said that a ban would be placed on sales and consumption of the illicit gin.
”So we are doing everything to make sure that such thing does not happen again. I have already summoned a meeting of all those that are into sales of alcohol and we are going to place a ban on illicit gin.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of Etsako West local government council, Mr. Yesufu Busari who also confirmed the incident, said he got report “that two persons have died and three others are still critically ill at the hospital.”
Busari said that the council would liaise with relevant stakeholders, especially dealers of the local gin, to educate and enlighten the people on current happenings.
He appealed to people of the council to desist from consuming illicit gin. [myad]
