By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
Seven people, from the same family in Runjin Barmo village of Kajiji District in Shagari local government area have died as a result of consuming Cassava delicacy suspected to be contaminated
Narrating the incident to the Commissioner for health Hajiya Asabe Balarabe who led a powerful delegation to the area, the Village head of the area, Malam Muhammadu Modi Magajin Runjin Barmo 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 village head said the incident happened Wednesday 7th August and the cause of the death is actually yet to be confirmed.
He said this was because the suspected Cassava has been used by about 4 houses in the village and no other case of ilness or death was recorded in those houses.
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 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 and hoped the effort would be sustained.
The Information Officer of the Ministry Nura Bello Maikwanci who passed the news to our correspondent said 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.
