In Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, four people die and at least 14 others are hospitalised after residents of the Igede community consume a suspected poisonous herbal mixture sold on an Ihiejwo market day. The reports describe the illness appearing shortly after consumption, with symptoms affecting multiple users and deaths occurring over subsequent days.
Across outlets, three men are named as the suspected sellers of the herbal preparations: Alhaji Mai Magamani, Mohamed, and Musa Kolo. Following the incident, local youth groups in the community arrest the three suspects and hand them to police. Local authorities and health services mobilise to manage victims at hospital.
The main differences between reports concern how many deaths are emphasised at the start, with one outlet citing three feared dead while others report four deaths. Coverage also varies slightly in wording, including whether victims are described as hospitalised generally or “critically ill,” and whether officials are still verifying fatalities at the time of reporting. Overall, the core account of the poisoning, the place, and the suspected sellers is consistent.
