Family of seven hospitalized after taking poisoned pap in Benue

A family of seven fell sick and were rushed to the hospital after taking poisoned pap at Egba in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The victims, identified as  Amina Isah, a widow, her three children and 3 grandchildren, Benjamin, Piko, Esther, and Hassan Emmanuel, started vomiting after taking the corn meal. 

A source from the community who identified himself as Adaji told Punch on Sunday that the elderly widow and three of the children were unconscious at the time they were taken to the hospital.

The doctor who doubles as proprietor of the clinic, known as ‘Dr Gana Clinic’, Dr Oyaje Sule, confirmed that the seven patients were in his clinic.

According to him, three of the patients including the widow were brought in unconscious. 

He added that the family were reported to have used the remnants of guinea corn already mixed with chemicals for planting to make pap. 

“It is true they brought a woman who I have known in the community, alongside her children and grandchildren numbering seven to my clinic this morning,” the doctor said. 

“The woman is a widow with her three children and three grandchildren, their ages range from three to 30 years, aside from their grandmother who is elderly.

“As at the time they were brought, the woman and two others were unconscious but thank God they have been revived.

“What I was told is that the family had mixed chemicals with guinea corn they were to plant, after planting the guinea corn, the remaining was brought home and they washed it and went and ground it to make pap.

“It was after they took the pap this morning that they started vomiting and some of them were unconscious before they were rushed to my clinic.”