A community in Benue State has been thrown into fear after several people became seriously ill after drinking a herbal mixture sold at a local market.
At least three people have died and 14 others are in hospital after drinking herbal mixtures suspected to contain poison in Igede community, Oju Local Government Area of Benue State. Dailynews updates
Four of those being treated at the General Hospital in Oju are in critical condition.
Police have not yet confirmed the incident.
The mixtures were reportedly sold by three men during the Ihiejwo market day in Oju Township last weekend.
An eyewitness named Ogbu identified the sellers as Alhaji Sule Mai Magani, Bello Mohamed and Musa Kala.
Ogbu said trouble started on Monday, November 2, 2026, when several people who bought and drank the herbal mixtures began showing similar symptoms.
One victim died on Tuesday morning, a second died in the early hours of Wednesday, and a third died on Thursday.
Oju Local Government Chairman Jackson Ominyi confirmed the incident.
He said he does not yet have the exact death toll, but puts it at three as of Thursday.
He said the suspected sellers have been arrested and taken to the state police headquarters in Makurdi.
He added that the council is doing its best to care for the victims.
Efforts to reach the state police spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, were unsuccessful.
The incident follows a similar tragedy in Ondo State in September 2026.
At least 48 people died and 182 others were affected after drinking a locally brewed herbal alcoholic drink contaminated with industrial methanol.
That case was reported in communities in Odigbo Local Government Area.