Tragic: 3 dead after a family meal of ‘amala’ in Ogun

by Rachel Ogbu

Photo: Love,play,eat
File Photo

Three members of a family living in Ogun State have died after eating a meal of yam flour, traditionally called amala.

The mother who prepared and served the meal, Victoria Ufili, 30, Isioma Ufili, 4, and Favour Nkiruka Ufili, 26, all died one after the other following symptoms of  stomach aches and vomiting.

Victoria was said to have bought the ‘poisonous amala’ from the market at the weekend and then cooked it for her family in their home at 85, Opeilu Road, Agbado, Ogun State, southwest Nigeria. Mr. Ufili, a petty trader, only survived because he was working at the time.

Their nine-month old baby boy also survived but was later on reported to have started vomiting too possibly from sucking his mother’s breasts after she ate the meal.

According to reports, he was treated at Overcomers Hospital, Agbado-Crossing with his mother, who later died at the same hospital.

Mr. Ufili’s younger brother, Charles Ikechukwu, said the incident was reported at the Agbado Divisional Police Headquarters, “but up till now, they have not taken any action. They were just giving us some excuses, so we decided to leave everything to God.”

“This is a case of food poisoning. Something must have happened to their food. But who is to be suspected? Who are we going to hold responsible? My brother had no quarrel with anybody, likewise the wife,” Ikechukwu stated.

PM News reports:

P.M.NEWS gathered that shortly after taking the meal in the evening, it was Isioma that first complained of stomach pains, after which she started vomiting.

A few minutes later, the mother had the same symptoms and both of them were rushed to Overcomers Hospital, Agbado-Crossing.

“But they rejected Isioma because her case was too critical and referred her to Ifako General Hospital. From there she was also referred to the Ikeja General Hospital. She eventually died at the Ikeja General Hospital at about 6am on Monday, the same day the sister, Favour and mother, Victoria eventually died,” Mr. Charles Ikechukwu, the younger brother of Mr. Ufili told P.M.NEWS.

Ikechukwu explained that a few hours after Isioma’s death, they received a call from the Ifako General Hospital.

“When we got there, they told us that Mrs. Ufili had died. They also said that we should take care of the baby because he was also vomiting, having sucked his mother’s breasts.”

Mrs. Ufili’s body has been deposited at the mortuary.

P.M.NEWS further gathered that they returned from Isioma’s burial at Matori Cemetery, Ladipo-Oshodi, Lagos, only to find Favour’s corpse inside their rented apartment.

“She had also vomited all over the place, and her body was already stiff. This is the biggest tragedy I have ever seen- losing three members of my family in one day,” Mr. Ufili wept.

Favour’s body has been taken to their village in the eastern part of Nigeria for burial.

When our reporter visited the house where the incident occurred, the Ufili family apartment was shut while the landlord and other tenants of the house were said to have temporarily moved out of the house.

 

Comments (3)

  1. May their genttle souls rest in perfect peace amen!

  2. What a tragedy! May their souls rest in peace – amen.

  3. So sad. if d amala was bought 4rm d market, it mins dat ther wud b mor death cases since it is “poisoned”

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