-
-Alekwu not responsible for the mysterious deaths--Onuh
By Olikita Ekani
The Executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has ordered for purchase of Yellow Fever vaccines and the immediate vaccination of the people of Epeilo, Otukpa community in Ogbadibo local government area of the state.
The Honourable Commissioner for Energy, Science and Technology, Dr-Godwin Emmanuel Oyiwona made this known while featuring on the Benue Television live programme, #DayBreakBenue along with the Executive Chairman Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Hon Prince Samuel Onuh.
Dr Oyiwona said, Gov Ortom had already sent a Rapid Reaction Squad to the community, samples were taken and Yellow Fever was diagnosed and confirmed to be responsible for the mysterious deaths, saying vaccines have been ordered and vaccination would be carried on the people of Ogbadibo and the two neighbouring local government areas of Ado and Okpokwu.
He added that immune boosting fluids and antibiotics have been sent to the community on the directive of the state governor and have since been distributed.
On the rumour connection of Alekwu( Idoma deity) with the mysterious death due to theft of some artifacts from Alekwu shrine by youths of the community in the past, Ogbadibo local council Chairman, Hon Samuel Onuh dispelled the rumour, advising the the people of the community to jettison such superstitious belief in order to save their lives from a preventable death.
He corroborated Dr Oyiwona that Yellow Fever was diagnosed from all the collected samples and was found to be responsible for the loss of souls in Epeilo community, urging the people to clear their surrounding environments and drink hygienic water.
Hon Onuh also confirmed the death of 3 people in Owukpa, another community in the local government, an indication of further spread of the disease.
