Ogogoro tragedy in Rivers: Death toll now 66

A woman hawking Ogogoro drinks in Akure

Rivers State government, yesterday, said the death toll from consumed poisonous local gin, otherwise known as ogogoro, has risen to 66 from 38. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Somiari Harry, who disclosed this to journalists shortly after a meeting with vendors of ogogoro, said efforts were on to ensure stoppage of consumption till further notice.

A major dealer of the local gin in Nembe/Creek road area in Port Harcourt, who was at the meeting, said it was unfortunate that deaths were being traced to consumption of the gin.

He said his family had been in the business since 1971, and that nobody had died from consuming their product.

He insisted that the one responsible for the death so far recorded in the state came from a neighbouring state.

He said they always bought what they sold from neighbouring Bayelsa State, stressing that their own was poison-free.

He said since news of the casualties broke out in the state, they had been forced to lock up their shops, assuring that they would cooperate with government until the problem was resolved.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, appealed to people in the state to stop consumption of the drink, urging them to avoid it in traditional events.