Five Children Succumb to Suspected Food Poisoning, Eight Admitted in Taraba

The Police Command in Taraba State confirmed on Wednesday that five children have tragically passed away due to suspected food poisoning, while eight others are currently being treated in Takum town, the administrative center of the Takum Local Government Area.

According to ASP Victor Mshelizah, the Public Relations Officer of the Police, the fatalities occurred after the children consumed suspected contaminated meat during a Ramadan lecture on Tuesday. The victims hailed from three different families.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident. The police have also urged the community to stay vigilant and report any suspicious food items or sudden health problems to security agencies in order to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies.

In response to the incident, Barrister Bilyaminu Maihanci, a human rights lawyer based in Jalingo, has called on the Taraba State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant agencies to act promptly and transparently to establish the circumstances surrounding the children's deaths. He described their demise as a tragic loss, stating that the affected families deserve justice.