An inquiry into the deaths of five siblings who contracted food poisoning and left their mother critically ill has been launched by the Anambra State Police Command.
According to SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command’s spokeswoman, samples of the food that the deceased ate have been taken for a forensic evaluation as part of the inquiry.
The terrible event took place at Anambra State’s Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area.
After eating the lunch their mother had made on Saturday, the kids began to feel sick to their stomachs and started throwing up. They were taken to the hospital, where they passed away.
When our correspondent visited the dead person’s family home on Wednesday, there was a palpable sense of loss.
The event happened after his children ate a dinner that their mother had made on Saturday, May 3, according to Pa Robinson Aghalu, a 79-year-old former soldier who was able to talk to reporters.
According to Aghalu, the youngsters were sent to the hospital after developing stomachaches, vomiting, and other symptoms that got worse over time.
“After eating the meal that their mother had prepared on Saturday, the kids began to have stomachaches, vomiting, and other symptoms,” he claimed.
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Despite efforts to save them, five of the six children died at various hospitals in the area, including a nearby maternity clinic, Iyienu Mission Hospital, and Crown Hospital.
“The mother, who also fell ill with similar symptoms, is currently hospitalised. A doctor, who managed the mother’s case, confirmed that the likely cause of the illness was food poisoning.”
Pa Aghalu is left with one surviving child, who was away studying with a relative during the incident.
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The police spokesperson said the result from forensic analysis of the food samples will further aid its ongoing investigation.
Ikenga said, “The Command is aware of this development and has taken over the crime scene. The samples of food have been taken for a forensic assessment and operatives are also engaging the neighbourhood for necessary information that will aid the investigations.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the children have been recovered and deposited in a morgue.
