A family of five in Sokoto State has been confirmed dead by the state authorities after eating a meal prepared with the use of fertilizer.
The fatal accident happened in the Kaurar Wanke village of Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State; the victims had reportedly consumed the meal on Thursday, and they died on Sunday.
The food was mistakenly prepared with fertilizer, which was thought to be a Monosodium Glutamate Seasoning substance (Farin Maggi).
Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, the state commissioner for health, spoke on the incident on Monday, saying the incident happened after the victims consumed meals prepared locally at home. The victims had consumed the meals without knowing the ingredients used for the preparation.
According to the commissioner, the cook had used fertilizer to prepare the food, which was mistaken for Farin Maggi monosodium glutamate.
The commissioner explained that two of the victims who survived till Friday were taken to the Sokoto Specialist Hospital, where they died on Sunday. While the other two were still in the hospital.
She noted that the infirm, the nation, was communicated to her while she was away on a focal assignment in Abuja; the Commissioner disclosed that she displaced a high-level delegation of directors concerned to act with urgency on the matter with a view to saving lives.
She further explained that before the arrival of the team, the substance consumed by the victims had taken over some important organs in their bodies, which resulted in bad functionality and deaths.
The residents were advised to keep any poisonous chemicals away from the kitchen. She advised that such chemicals should be kept in separate rooms where children can not access them. According to her, such areas should be under the strict supervision of adults.
A relative of the victims who spoke with a journalist explained that the efforts of the minister’s team have been helpful. He noted that the timely intervention helped in taking the victims to the hospital immediately. The relative prayed to the Almighty to bless the responders.
He specifically appreciated the professionalism of the doctors and other medical staff at the Sokoto Specialist Hospital in handling the victims.
The Chief Medical Director of Sokoto Specialist Hospital, Dr. Attahiru Sokoto, noted that the incident was unfortunate and prayed for the repose of the dead victims.
