Four Feared Dead, 14 Hospitalised After Suspected Poisonous Herbal Mixture in Benue

At least four people have reportedly died, while 14 others are receiving medical treatment after allegedly consuming a suspected poisonous herbal mixture purchased in Oju township, headquarters of Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident reportedly occurred after three men identified as Magani, Mohamed and Kala allegedly sold herbal preparations suspected to contain poisonous substances to residents of the Igede community during the Ihiejwo market day last weekend.

An eyewitness said the incident came to public attention on November 2, 2026, after several residents who consumed the preparations began experiencing similar symptoms, prompting victims and their relatives to raise the alarm.

According to the eyewitness, the first victim reportedly died on Tuesday morning, while the second died in the early hours of Wednesday. Two additional victims were said to have died later on November 4.

The eyewitness added that more than 14 other people were battling for their lives in hospitals, with several reportedly in critical condition.

Following the incident, the three men allegedly involved in selling the herbal preparations were apprehended by members of the Igede Youth Council in collaboration with the Oju Local Government Area Township Youth leadership.

The suspects were subsequently handed over to the police in Oju for investigation.

The eyewitness disclosed that the case had reportedly been transferred from the Oju Divisional Police Headquarters to the Benue State Police Command, where the suspects were undergoing investigation.

Speaking during the handover, President of the Igede Youth Council, John-Frank Ozzidi, called on the Benue State Government to ensure a thorough investigation and guarantee that those responsible were brought to justice.

Ozzidi commended members of the community for refusing to take the law into their own hands, despite the anger generated by the incident.

He said the youths deliberately resisted the temptation to subject the suspects to jungle justice, choosing instead to allow the appropriate authorities to handle the matter.

The youth leader also appealed to political officeholders from the area to follow up on the investigation to ensure justice for the deceased and establish the circumstances surrounding the suspected poisoning.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident but said he was yet to establish the exact number of fatalities.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Benue State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Peter Aondongu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to enquiries before the report was filed.