Tragedy in Akure as family of five dies mysteriously after consuming pap

A devastating incident has shaken the community of Atayese Street, Gaga area in Akure, Ondo State, leaving a family of five dead under mysterious circumstances.

Mrs. Esther Adeola, 68, a retired admin officer, and her four grandchildren, aged 9, 8, 6, and 3, succumbed to alleged food poisoning after consuming pap.

Ademola Adeola, Esther’s son and the children’s father, speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, urged the state government to investigate the circumstances surrounding their deaths. “I want the government to look into this matter… I lost my mother and four children in one day,” he said.

Adeola recounted the events leading to their deaths, stating that the children drank the pap on Saturday and soon began vomiting and complaining of stomach aches. Despite rushing them to the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital, efforts to revive them failed due to alleged lack of facilities.

“So, I rushed them to the General Hospital, Akure. One of the doctors asked me how I was sure the children were poisoned. He said I should go and give them palm oil to drink.

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“I heard him say, ‘I don’t know what to give them. I don’t know what to do, I’m tired.’ Later, they gave them some drugs and I believe, it was the drugs that killed them.”

However, Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, disputed claims of negligence, stating, “The doctors and consultants did their best to revive the victims… It’s unfortunate this happened.”

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed that the case was not officially reported but noted that police visited the residence to gather information.

“The matter was not reported at any police station, but our men in B Division have visited the house of the deceased to know what actually happened,” the PPRO stated.

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