At least three people have died and 14 others have been hospitalised after allegedly consuming herbal mixtures suspected to contain poisonous substances in the Igede community, Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
The tragedy, which occurred after three hawkers sold the mixtures during the Ihiejwo market day last weekend, has left four of the hospitalised victims in critical condition, ValidViewNetwork reports.
THE INCIDENT
According to an eyewitness identified simply as Ogbu, the three men suspected to be hawking the herbal mixtures were identified as Alhaji Sule Mai Magani, Bello Mohamed and Musa Kala.
“There was pandemonium in the community on Monday, November 2, 2026, when several residents who had purchased and consumed the herbal preparations started developing similar symptoms,” Ogbu said .”One of the people who bought and consumed the local herbs died on Tuesday morning, the second died in the early hours of Wednesday, while the third victim died on Thursday”.
He added that 14 other people who consumed the mixtures were receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Oju, with four in critical condition .
THE ARRESTS
The Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident and said the suspected sellers had been arrested and taken to the state police command headquarters in Makurdi .
“Yes, but up till now, I have not got the exact number of those who died yet, but the number so far is three as of yesterday (Thursday),” Ominyi said .
“Several others are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Oju and the persons selling the herbs have been arrested and sent to Makurdi”.
He added that the council was doing everything possible to ensure that the victims receiving treatment were taken care of.
THE YOUTH COUNCIL’S ROLE
The President of the Igede Youth Council, Comrade Idoko John-Frank Ozzidi, had earlier called on the Benue State Government to ensure a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice .
Ozzidi said the youths deliberately resisted taking the law into their hands and handed the suspects over to the police, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be fully investigated .
He also urged political officeholders from the area to follow up on the matter to ensure justice for the deceased and adequate attention for survivors .
THE BROADER CONTEXT
The Benue incident comes after a similar tragedy in Ondo State in September 2026, when at least 48 people died and 182 others were affected after consuming a locally brewed herbal alcoholic drink contaminated with toxic industrial methanol .
The incident was reported in communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, including Araromi-Obu and Odigbo town .
WHY IT MATTERS
The deaths in Oju are a grim reminder of the dangers of unregulated herbal products in Nigeria.
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The sellers hawked the mixtures in an open market, with no regulatory oversight, no quality control, and no warning of the potential risks. Residents bought them in good faith, believing they were receiving medicine.
Instead, they were poisoned.
The police have made arrests. The investigation continues. But for the families of the deceased, no arrest can bring back their loved ones. And for the survivors fighting for their lives in the hospital, the wait continues.
The tragedy is also a call for regulation. Herbal medicines may have their place, but they must be subject to the same standards of safety and quality as any other product consumed by Nigerians. ValidViewNetwork reports.