Family of seven dies after eating contaminated cassava delicacy in Sokoto

Tragedy struck in Runjin Barmo village, Kajiji District, Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto state, as a family of seven died after consuming a Cassava delicacy.

The victims, who included the father, Malam Abubakar, his wife, A'ishatu Abubakar, and their five children, passed away shortly after eating the meal during dinner.

The state Commissioner of Health, Hon. Asabe Balarabe, led a delegation to the village to offer condolences and investigate the incident.

According to the village head, Malam Muhammadu Modi Magajin Runjin Barmo, the Cassava delicacy was suspected to be contaminated during preparation, leading to the tragic outcome.

Notably, the same Cassava meal was consumed by four other households in the village without any reports of illness, making the cause of death still unknown.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

Malam Modi Magaji on behalf of people of the area, thanked the state governor Dr Ahmed Aliyu for showing his concern to them in that direction.

Speaking, the state Commissioner for Health Hajiya Asabe Balarabe 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.

Hajiya Asabe Balarabe on behalf of the state governor Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto Condoled 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.

In his remarks, the Director Health for Shagari Local government area Sani Bello Tambuwal thanked the Commissioner for her concern to and hoped the effort would be sustained.

The Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by Executive Director State Hospital Services Management Board Dr Bello Abubakar Attahiru, some Directors and other staff of the ministry.