By James Ogunnaike, ABEOKUTA
OGBOGBO, an agrarian community in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of Ogun State was last Tuesday, thrown into mourning when six persons lost their lives after drinking local gin, allegedly served by their friend.
It was reliably gathered that though there was a disagreement among the six friends and the suspect (now at large) over an undisclosed issue, some persons mediated and had it settled.
It was also gathered that though the six persons who drank the alcohol died, the seventh person who reportedly served the drink without partaking in the drinking was alive.
Poisonous gin
According to a resident in the area, an alcohol seller had been accused of selling poisonous gin, which led to the death of people.
However, upon investigation, they gathered that the killer drink was served by one of the deceased person’s friends.
A few hours after they had departed to their various destinations, news filtered into the town that two of the friends had died while four others were hospitalised.
The other four persons died the following day while the suspect was reported to have fled over the incident.
The source said: “It was later that night that the news started breaking that those who drank from the alcohol were dying while some of them were rushed to the hospital.
“Six people have been announced dead and the whereabouts of the man who brought the alcohol was unknown.”
The mysterious death has created anxiety in Ijebuland over the alleged killer-drink in circulation.
A viral statement read: “Ogogoro drinker. There is a dangerous and killer local gin currently in circulation in Ijebuland. Over six people have gone to the burial ground in the last week. Save your life by totally abstaining from any herbal mixture made of ogogoro right now.”
The joint where the alleged contaminated alcohol was served has been put under lock by the local government authority.
When our correspondent got to the residence of one of the victims, he was told that his family has relocated from the town, since the head of the family is dead.
At the residence of another victim, he was told that they were not interested in talking with anybody on the matter.
A community leader in Ogbogbo, Solomon Awonuga, said the incident was a rude shock to him.
He said: “When I heard about it, I thought it was a joke until it turned out to be true.
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