Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State was yesterday thrown into confusion as the death toll from the suspected dog meat meal rose to 11.
Five persons died two days ago after consuming the meal.
The increase has forced the community to announce that anyone who was at the restaurant should present himself for preventive steps to be taken.
However, a source said that the death was not caused by the dog meal, but by a local gin allegedly brought into the community from a South-West state.
Chief Brain Ogbonda said after a meeting of elders and chiefs of Woji, that the cause of the death was not the dog meat, but a local gin a visitor allegedly brought to the bar from Ogun State.
He said enquiries from those who were in the bar on Sunday revealed that all the people who drank the local gin brought in by the man from Ogun State, who claimed to be celebrating his coronation as a traditional ruler in his community, died.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Pauline Akpan, wife of one of the deceased, confirmed that his husband told him that one of his friends invited him to the dog meat restaurant in celebration of his (the friend’s) coronation.
The owner of the dog meat restaurant has been detained at Woji Police Station, while the man who brought the local gin to the bar is yet to be identified.
In a similar development, over 16 persons have been confirmed dead in Bonny Island, Bonny, in Obio Akpor local government areas of Rivers after consuming local gin popularly called ‘Kai-Kai’ or Ogogoro and eating ‘Dog Meat’ believed to contain poisonous ethanol.
Simon Wilcox, a Youth leader and Spokesman for Bonny kingdom confirmed the death of 17 persons after the consumption of the toxic local brew, kai-kai imported into the Bonny Island.
“As I speak to you, 17 persons have been confirmed dead.
We are going to the hospital to attend those who are lying critically ill.
We need the help of World Health Organization, WHO, Federal and Government agencies to assist people of Bonny kingdom,” Wilcox said.
No comments:
Post a Comment