Suspected Poisonous Beans Claims Lives of Three Siblings, Sparks Fear and Calls for Food Safety in Enugu Community
In a heart-wrenching incident, three children of a school proprietor tragically lost their lives after consuming allegedly poisonous beans in Agu-Uwani, Akwuke, Enugu State.
The victims, children of Mr. Callistus Egbo, proprietor of Elohim Primary and Secondary School, reportedly fell ill on Tuesday after eating the meal. One child died that evening, while the other two passed away the following day.
Mr. Egbo, also affected by the meal, is currently in critical condition at a private hospital in Enugu, while his wife was away at the time of the incident.
Though there is no official medical confirmation yet, locals suspect food poisoning as the cause of the children’s deaths, leading to widespread fear in the community. Many residents have since avoided consuming beans and related dishes like Akara and Moi Moi.
A local source described the tragedy as devastating, stating, “Since the incident, no one in the area is touching beans. Markets and shops have stopped selling Akara and Moi Moi.
This heartbreaking event underscores the pressing concerns around food safety in Nigeria, where numerous food poisoning cases have been reported this year.
In 2024 alone, more than 43 people have died from suspected food poisoning across various states, including Sokoto, Kano, Kogi, Anambra, Nasarawa, and Kwara. Similar tragedies have involved other staples like yam flour and cassava.
In August, a family of four in Kwara State died after eating a contaminated yam flour meal, while another family of seven in Sokoto State succumbed after consuming a cassava-based dish.
Local authorities are being urged to investigate and address food safety issues to prevent further loss of life.
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