Rivers State government has banned
the consumption of local gin popularly called Ogogoro, following the death of
about 32 persons, 15 from Bonny Island and Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government
Areas, and the reported death of another 11 persons in Gokana Local Government
Area, which included seven male and four females.
The ban by government was due to the increasing death toll
from consumption of the alcoholic liquor and dog meat delicacy alleged to
contain poisonous ethanol, which now stand at 32.
Five persons reportedly died in Woji area of Obio/ Akpor
after consuming the local gin, although Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO,
for Rivers State Police Command, Ahmad Mohammad, said only one death was
recorded.
Rivers State government through the Department of Disease
Control said the ban had become necessary to forestall further consumption of
the toxic substance. Director of Disease Control in the state’s Ministry of
Health, Dr. Roland Obed Whyte, who disclosed this, however, expressed concern
over difficulty in getting samples of the particular gin popularly called
Ogogoro or Kai-kai for thorough clinical analysis.
Why he explained that irate youths of Woji had set ablaze
the shop of Friday Dickson, (aka Etiaba) where the suspected toxic gin was
bought and consumed, erasing any samples of the gin, while the latter was
currently in police custody.
He, however, said health officials from the ministry have
been dispatched to Woji for house-to-house enlightenment on the dangers in
consumption of ‘highly toxic’ local gin.
He said preliminary findings revealed that some of symptoms
found in the affected victims, includes vomiting and blindness.
In Bonny Island, a youth leader and spokesman for Bonny
kingdom, Sunday Wilcox, confirmed on Thursday that the death of 17 persons
after the consumption of the toxic local brew popularly kai-kai imported into
the Island. “
“As I speak with you, 17 persons have been confirmed dead.
We are going to the hospital to attend to those who are critically lying ill.
We need the help of World Health Organisation, WHO, Federal and government
agencies to assist people of Bonny kingdom,” he said.
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