A mother and her four children have died after consuming a meal of pap in Akure, Ondo State.
The mother identified as Esther Adeola and her children died between Saturday and Sunday in their resident at Gaga Street, Oke Aro, Akure, leaving her husband Ademola Adeola and his family distraught.
Mrs. Adeola reportedly died first not long after she took the pap made out of maize. Her children aged nine, eight, six, and three, died on Sunday following symptoms of stomach pain and vomiting.
“They started vomiting and complaining of stomach pain after taking the pap. I rushed them to the General Hospital at UNIMED. One of the doctors asked me how I was sure it was food poisoning and suggested I give them palm oil to drink,” Mr. Adeola lamented
Adeola expressed frustration, alleging that the hospital lacked the necessary facilities to resuscitate the victims.
“I heard one of the doctors say, ‘I don’t know what to give them, I don’t know what to do, I’m tired.’ They later administered some drugs, which I believe were responsible for their deaths,” he lamented.
Ondo State Commissioner for Health Dr. Banji Ajaka noted that the kids were given adequate medical attention, but they couldn’t survive.
“I was personally at the hospital with them. There were four consultants and other doctors working tirelessly to save the children, but unfortunately, they didn’t make it. It’s untrue that the hospital lacked the necessary facilities to handle such cases,” Ajaka stated.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command spokesperson, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami confirmed: “The matter was not reported at any police station, but our men have visited the house of the deceased to understand what happened.”
