A 62-year-old man, fondly known as Okiribo, and a 45 year-old man Samuel Omo-Folorunsho have died in Isanlu community, Kogi State after they reportedly drank her drink made of Gegemu roots and other items.
Two other persons are also currently in the hospital battling to survive after drinking the self-made herbal drink in excess
The victims reportedly drank the herbal concoction, a combination of Gegemu and other roots to get high but only landed themselves in trouble.
While Okiribo and Omo-Folorunsho died, one Shola Pempe and another youth were hospitalized at ECWA hospital, Makutu.
Some of the youths in the community went ahead to dig the said roots and turn them into concoction (agbo) by themselves and consumed them to be high.
The traditional ruler, Oba Moses Etombi, Agbana of Isanlu, who confirmed the incident described the incident as “tragic” and “very unfortunate”.
The traditional ruler said the incident threw the community into mourning as “it is unbelievable that the herbs that we have been using for treatment of pile could send our beloved ones to their early graves.
“From what I learnt, they drank more than two litres of the concoction, which badly affected their health.
“We only use those herbs for treatment of pile and only a little of its quantity is supposed to be taken. Taking it in excess is not advised at all.
“Thank God the other two survived or else it would have been so disastrous for us in the community,” he told newsmen.
Etonbi, however, advised his subject residents, especially youths, to desist from taking anything that would affect their health.
According to him, hard drugs destroy and should be hated and kept at bay so as to enjoy a good and healthy life.
The Kogi Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, also confirmed the incident and advised youths against drugs.
