A heartbreaking incident unfolded at a white-garment church in Ibadan, where five worshippers lost their lives and several others were hospitalized.
The victims fell ill after participating in a traditional feast called “ipese,” held during a church service last Sunday, as reported by Sunday Tribune.
Approximately 50 worshippers have since been discharged from the Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo, Ibadan, Oyo State, where they received treatment, but others remain hospitalized.
The cause of the illness and fatalities is still under investigation.
The Ipese feast, traditionally significant to the church’s practices, is now under scrutiny following this tragedy. A church insider stated that it remains uncertain whether the feast was directly linked to the deaths, as the medical cause has not yet been identified.
The source told Sunday Tribune, “I ate the prepared beans like everyone else, including the victims, and nothing happened to me. The incident is not solely about ‘Ipese’ as it has been presented.”
“Various government agencies, including the police, Directorate of State Services (DSS), media organizations, and the World Health Organization (WHO), have conducted fact-finding missions here. Their findings are still pending, but I can assure you that it is not solely about Ipese, as rumored.”
“While it is true that some victims are still receiving treatment at IDC Olodo, there is no truth to the claim that the church has been closed down. The Shepherd-in-Charge has been attending to visitors since morning and is currently undergoing tests. You (our correspondent) will need to come back tomorrow during the service to see him.”
A senior medical staff member at the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC) Olodo, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the incident.
As of Saturday, the source stated that “50 of the victims have been treated and discharged,” while others continue to receive care.
An official briefing by the State Commissioner for Health is scheduled for next week, which is expected to provide further insights into the situation.
Police Public Relations Officer SP Adewale Osifeso has verified the incident, emphasizing that “investigation is ongoing.”
