Ondo deaths: Conflict between traditional beliefs and science

Appeasing the god with water

WHAT happened in Irele, a remote and agrarian community in Ondo State, last week can best be described as a conflict between traditional beliefs and science.

Over 20 persons died mysteriously in the two communities of Ayadi and Irele  within a period of five days but the state government claimed that 18 casualties were recorded.

Ever since the ugly incident happened, there have been discordant of reasons adduced by government, the World Health Organisation, WHO and the natives of the community.

Traditionalists blame death on desecration of shrine: However, the conflict between tradition and science manifested when government insisted that the mysterious deaths in the community would be tackled scientifically, but the natives and the traditionalists disagreed. They insisted on toeing the line of their fore-fathers to appease the angry god whose shrine was allegedly desecrated.

It was learnt that the perpetrators of the alleged desecration were middle aged boys who are desirous of getting quick money to enjoy life outside the community. They reportedly ignored the repercussion and dared the god of the community who was said to have, like lightning, fought back, killing over 20 persons in quick succession. The corpses of the deceased were not allowed to be buried within the community but in a far away forest in order not to further anger the god.

The victims, however, succeeded in carting away some sacred objects which they allegedly sold to some foreigners who moved them out of the community. The whereabouts of the objects are still unknown, while none of those the god allegedly struck dead, confessed their involvement before dying.

The god, according to a source in the community, first made the victims blind before striking them dead.

But the Ondo State government would buy none of this unscientific theory. Medical reports which emanated from samples forwarded to relevant health bodies, according to government sources, showed that those who died were mainly young men who operate commercial motorcycles (Okada riders) in the town.

Ondo State Commissioner of Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, said weekend,  that those who died were mostly Okada riders who were believed to have consumed ethanol poison in the community.

Government is therefore saying that the strange disease which ravaged the community is not contagious and not the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. They attributed it to the consumption of locally distilled liquor (Ogogoro) by the deceased which contained poison.

But the natives and the traditionalists have  faulted this submission. According to them, the ugly development in the community is beyond science and would be best tackled traditionally because those who allegedly desecrated the Malokun shrine were subsequently dealt with to show the potency and efficacy of the god.

It was learnt that the community took some measures to stop the calamity while government busied itself looking for the  medical reasons and  remedies to be applied.

Community seeks God’s intervention: One of the measures taken by the natives include the invitation of a 19-year-old Prophet Kelvin Akintan, who was said to have predicted the ugly incident few weeks ago,  to seek the face of God on the matter.

Heavy downpour

Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko

A source said that a crusade was organised and held at Methodist Primary School. It was attended by virtually everybody in the town, including the traditionalists.

A heavy downpour shortly after the crusade was seen by members of the community as a good omen. According to them, the symbolic rain signified that the calamity has been washed away.

Before this, the traditionalists reportedly instructed owners of all the houses in the community to volunteer a person each who will fetch a bucket of water to be poured at the Malokun shrine.

The Chief Priest of the community, High Chief Lemo, said the cause of the death was the desecration of the Malokun shrine by some unknown persons. He said that the ugly incident was the first in the history of the ancient community, noting that the god was angry with the invasion of the shrine.

He, however, pointed out that the god has been appeased in a bid to halt the death that visited the community.

Also speaking, a traditionalist, High Chief Akingboye, confirmed that the god has been appeased. He said this was why no death has occurred in the last few days.

The Health Commissioner,  Dr Dayo Adeyanju, said he would not want to join issues with traditionalists.

Post-mortem examination.

He insisted that preliminary investigations into the mysterious deaths showed that it was a case of ethanol poisoning.

“Findings from post-mortem carried out on the victims and other laboratory tests revealed that the disease was neither  epidemic nor contagious. The preliminary report shows that ethanol poison was found in the systems of all the victims. Our investigations have also revealed that the victims, who, interestingly, were all Okada riders, gathered at some local joints to consume alcoholic substance mixed with roots and some other local herbs on the eve of the outbreak of the disease. I can assure you that the disease is in no way contagious. The fact that none of the caregivers has contracted the disease has greatly underscored this point.? Therefore, the fear of spread does not arise and should be discouraged. We strongly suspect ethanol poison, and in view of this, we have ordered for another toxicology test for surviving victims,” he said.

The commissioner who said that there had been no report of new cases in the last three days, explained that 23 people were affected in all, out of which 18 lost their lives.

Dr Adeyanju pointed out that the cases of five other survivors, who have gone blind, had been referred to the University Teaching Hospital, UCH in Ibadan for further examination and monitoring.

The Commissioner declined joining  issues with traditionalists who attributed the outbreak of the disease to  some youths who allegedly broke into the shrine and stole artifacts, an action which angered the gods of the community.

Dr Adeyanju pointed out that his job goes beyond explaining the action of a god as he was expected to back up his claims with available evidence.

He, however, said that the dead persons would be buried in body bags to curtail the spread of the disease.

WHO recants

Giving an update on the mysterious deaths,  the World Health Organisation, WHO  also made a U-turn, saying investigations on Irele mysterious disease point to ethanol poisoning

The WHO Coordinator in Ondo State, Dr Akinola Fatiregun said the organisation has dissociated itself from the earlier report that it was caused by pesticide. “The State Commissioner for Health advised citizens to desist from taking local gin called Ogogoro and anyone with herbal mixture. The state governor, Dr Mimiko, said the state government is on top of the situation assuring that the final report on the investigations into the mysterious deaths would soon be made public. The  death toll remains 18, while five people are receiving treatment at UCH Ibadan,” he said.

Mimiko reacts: Meanwhile, the Governor, in a state wide broadcast on the mysterious death  in the area state, said the state has witnessed in the last few days a major health challenge.

According to him: ”A  yet-to- be-named ailment whose causative agents, diagnosis and cure are also yet to be determined struck in locations in Irele Local Government Area of our State, killing 17 people and stoking panic and fear.

“I am, like you, saddened by these losses and the attendant fear of what looks like an epidemic.

High-Priest-Lemo

“I can only bring words of consolation to the families of the deceased and words of comfort and assurances to the good people of our dear State.

“Our prayer at this hour is that God grants rest to the dead and fortitude to the living.

“Amidst conflicting and confusing information, the investigating team of experts sent by government to the area gathered that all the casualties died within hours of affliction.

“We use this opportunity to appeal to citizens and residents to report any suspicious case with blurring of vision, incoherence or related symptoms to the nearest health facilities.”

The traditional ruler of the town, the Olofun of Ode Irele Oba Olanrewaju Lebi is coordinating the Chief Priest and other traditionalists to allay the fears of the people in the community.

This was sequel to the mass movement of the people of the community to neighboring communities like Okitipupa and Ore.