For the forlorn Ogogoro drinkers, don’t feel like the world is coming to an end, yet.
There is still ample time to grab a few drinks while you can, but that’s if you’re not scared of death.
The Federal Government on Monday banned the consumption of local gin, popularly called Ogogoro in all parts of the country.
The decision came about following the deaths in Rivers and Ondo states, with a death toll on the increase at 38 and 18 respectively, due to poisoning allegedly caused by the consumption of the gin.
The Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, Dr. Paul Orhii, confirmed the cause of death to be as a result of the drink.
According to him, considering the risk in the consumption of locally made gin, it has become imperative to “warn the public to desist from the consumption of unregistered locally made spirits (Ogogoro) and other unregistered bitters” warning that government “would confiscate all illegally brewed alcoholic beverages” across the country.
The NAFDAC boss also chipped in suggesting that “immediate reporting and evacuation to the nearest tertiary health institution as quick intervention can save lives.”
He said, “A preliminary investigation by the National Centre for Disease Control and WHO, ruled out any infectious diseases and confirmed the possibility of poisoning as the cause and in turn advised NAFDAC to conduct further investigation.
The symptoms suffered by victims included vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision, headache, dizziness and loss of consciousness with subsequent sudden deaths of 18 victims.”
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