At least seven persons from the same family in Runjin Barmo village of Kajiji District in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State have reportedly died as a result of consumption of contaminated cassava delicacy.

This is contained in a statement signed and made available by the Information Officer, State Ministry of Health, Nura Bello, on behalf of the state Commissioner for Health on Sunday evening.

The statement revealed that the village head of the community, Malam Muhammadu Modi, while narrating the incident to the Commissioner for Health Hajiya Asabe Balarabe who led a delegation to the area, said the victims consumed the cassava meal during their dinner.

According to him, “The victims comprised the Father, Malam Abubakar, his wife, A’ishatu Abubakar and their 5 Children.

“The incident happened last Wednesday and the cause of the death is yet to be confirmed.

“He said this was because the suspected Cassava has been used by about 4 houses in the village and not any case of illness was recorded in those houses”

The statement further said the village head on behalf of the people of the area, thanked the state Governor, Ahmed Aliyu for showing his concern to them in that direction.

In her remarks, the state Commissioner for Health said they were in the village to assess the cause of the incident for onward communication to the state government for necessary action.

The commissioner said the ministry would take samples from one teenager who happened to be alive after eating the suspected cassava meal.

She however on behalf of the governor condoled the people of the area over the incident and prayed to Allah to forgive those who lost their lives.

She used the opportunity to call on people of the state to ensure prompt reporting of any strange disease in their domains for the ministry’s intervention. (The PUNCH)

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