4 family members die after ‘amala’ meal in Kogi

A family head, Pa Motilewa, along with three other members of the family have been reported dead after eating a meal made from cassava flour, popularly called “amala”.

According to a report by DailyTrust, the deceased all ate the food on Thursday and died in quick succession between Friday, September 30, and Sunday, October 2.

Meanwhile, there was a sole survivor, a woman called Molomo as the wife of Pa Motilewa, who also ate the food.

She was reported to be responding to treatment at the ECWA Hospital, Egbe in Yagba West LGA of the state.

The eldest daughter of Pa Motilewa, identified as Motun, said to be a teacher, was among the victims. She died at about 3am on Sunday while the father died later the same day.

A resident said the crisis started on that Thursday night and that by Friday morning the youngest member of the family died.

He said this was followed on Saturday by the death of a relation living with the family.

Meanwhile, community’s elders are reported to have ordered the suspension of the burial rites pending proper investigation to unravel the cause of the deaths.