Benue Herbal Mixture: 4 Mysteriously Dead, 14 Hospitalised in Oju

Four people have reportedly died and 14 others hospitalised after consuming a suspected harmful herbal mixture purchased during a market day in Oju, Benue State.

At least four people have reportedly died while 14 others have been hospitalised after consuming a suspected harmful herbal mixture purchased in Oju township, headquarters of Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

The herbal preparations were reportedly sold to members of the Igede community by three men identified as Alhaji Mai Magamani, Mohamed and Musa Kolo during the Ihiejwo market day in Oju last weekend.

The incident reportedly came to light on Monday, November 2, 2026, after several people who had consumed the herbal preparations began experiencing similar health complications.

An eyewitness said the first victim died on Tuesday morning, followed by another death in the early hours of Wednesday.

Two more victims reportedly died on November 4, bringing the reported death toll to four.

At least 14 other people were said to be receiving medical attention, with some reportedly in critical condition.

Following the incident, the three suspected herbal medicine sellers were reportedly arrested by the Igede Youth Council in collaboration with the Oju Local Government Township Youth leadership.

They were subsequently handed over to the police for investigation.

The Oju Divisional Police Headquarters was said to have transferred the matter to the Benue State Police Command for further investigation.

While the suspects were being handed over, President of the Igede Youth Council, Comrade John-Frank Ozzidi, appealed to the Benue State Government to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found responsible faces prosecution.

Ozzidi also commended members of the community for refusing to take the law into their own hands and allowing security agencies to handle the matter.

He urged elected and appointed political representatives from the area to follow up on the investigation and ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths are established and justice served.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Oju Local Government Council, Mr Jackson Ominyi, confirmed that the incident occurred but said he could not immediately establish the total number of deaths.

Ominyi said three deaths had been reported to him as of the previous day, while other victims were receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Oju.

“My people are working on that. My security secretary and security adviser are on it.
“The others are in the General Hospital, Oju. My health department is also taking care of them.

“I have tried to calm the situation down. The person selling the herbs was arrested and sent to Makurdi three days ago,” he said.

Attempts to obtain comments from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to enquiries before this report was filed.

Famous Reporters will continue to monitor developments as authorities investigate the reported deaths and hospitalisations.