Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kogi State Government has ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the tragic deaths of four members of the same family in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, following the reported consumption of a local delicacy known as Amala, a meal made from cassava flour. The incident has thrown the Ihima community into mourning and sparked widespread concern, with the circumstances surrounding the deaths remaining unclear. The tragedy took an even more disturbing turn with reports that the family's dog also died after consuming the same food, raising alarming questions about possible food contamination or poisoning.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, deeply troubled by the incident, has directed the Commissioner for Health to launch a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the fatalities. The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who announced the governor's directive on Saturday, August 22, 2026, stated that the investigation would establish whether the food consumed was contaminated or if another medical or environmental factor was responsible for the deaths. The governor has specifically instructed that relevant samples and available evidence be properly examined following established public health procedures.
Fanwo quoted Governor Ododo as saying, "The Chief Servant is deeply concerned by this tragic incident and has directed the Commissioner for Health to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, with particular attention to the possibility of food poisoning or food contamination". The investigation, which will involve collaboration with relevant agencies and stakeholders, is also expected to look into the reported death of the family dog. "The government urges members of the public to remain calm and avoid drawing conclusions about the cause of the deaths until the investigation is concluded and the facts are established by the relevant authorities," Fanwo added.
Governor Ododo has commiserated with the bereaved family and the people of Ihima, describing the incident as a painful tragedy while assuring residents that the government would provide further information as soon as verified facts emerge. The incident has revived memories of a similar tragedy in Kogi State in November 2016, when nine people died after consuming cassava flour meal in the Ogaminana area of Okene. As the community awaits answers, the investigation is expected to determine whether the deaths were caused by food poisoning, contamination, or other factors.
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