Assemblies Of God Deacon,Six Others Die After Taking Suya And Fruit Juice In Umuahia

 The Abia Government has appealed for calm over the death of a Deacon at the Assemblies of God Church one Sunday Ugba, who died on Monday night, along with six other persons in his house in Umuahia.

Reports say Mr Ugba and others, including four children that came on holiday in his house, died after taking suya and fruit juice.

His wife was rushed, unconscious, to Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where she is currently receiving medical treatment.

Reacting to the incident in a statement in Umuahia , Abia state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Okiyi Kalu, advised relatives of the deceased persons to remain calm.

According to the statement,government had contacted all the relevant agencies to investigate the unfortunate incident.

The Commissioner call for calm and patience to enable relevant medical authorities to properly determine the cause of the death of the seven persons.

Mr Kalu conveyed the condolences of the state government to the relations and friends of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer Abia State Police command Mr Geoffrey Ogbonna, said  the command had commenced investigation into the sad incident.

Mr Ogbonna, however, said  no arrest had been made, saying that investigation is ongoing to ascertain the actual cause of the deaths.

He appealed to members of the public, especially relations and friends of the deceased, to assist the command with useful information that could help  to get to the root of the incident.

In the meantime ,the only survivor in the family and first daughter of the deceased, Ijeoma, had explained that she ate the suya but did not take the juice.

Ijeoma, who said that she did not suffer any ill health, told newsmen that her father and others that took the suya and fruit drink began to experience serious stomach pain shortly after.

“Barely one hour after taking the suya and juice, they started feeling serious stomach pains. There was serious commotion in the house, as everybody began to roll on the ground, crying for help.

“But after about 30 minutes, there was calm. Everybody seemed to have regained themselves.

“Around 10 p.m., we all retired to sleep. Unfortunately, in the morning, I woke up to see the lifeless bodies of my dad and brothers and the four children on holiday in our house,” Ijeoma said.

Source: NAN