At least three people have reportedly died, while 14 others have been hospitalised after consuming herbal mixtures suspected to contain poisonous substances in the Igede community of Oju Local Government Area, Benue State.

Four of the hospitalised victims are said to be in critical condition at the General Hospital in Oju, following the suspected poisoning incident.

The incident reportedly occurred after three men allegedly hawking herbal preparations sold the products to residents during the Ihiejwo market day in Oju Township last weekend.

An eyewitness, identified simply as Ogbu, said the suspected sellers were identified as Alhaji Sule Mai Magani, Bello Mohamed and Musa Kala.

According to him, panic broke out in the community on Monday, November 2, 2026, after several residents who had purchased and consumed the herbal mixtures began experiencing similar symptoms.

Ogbu said the first victim died on Tuesday morning, while the second person died in the early hours of Wednesday. A third victim reportedly died on Thursday.

There was pandemonium in the community on Monday, November 2, 2026, when several residents who had purchased and consumed the herbal preparations started developing similar symptoms,” he said.

He added that 14 other people who consumed the mixtures were receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Oju, with four reportedly in critical condition.

Confirming the incident on Friday, the Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, said the suspected sellers had been arrested and transferred to the Benue State Police Command headquarters in Makurdi.

Ominyi, however, said he had yet to establish the exact number of fatalities but confirmed that three deaths had been recorded as of Thursday.

“Yes, but up till now, I have not got the exact number of those who died yet, but the number so far is three as of yesterday (Thursday).

“Several others are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Oju and the persons selling the herbs have been arrested and sent to Makurdi,” he said.

The council chairman added that the local government was making efforts to ensure that the affected residents receiving treatment were properly cared for.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as his telephone line did not connect and he did not respond to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of unregulated herbal preparations and the risks associated with consuming products sold by unverified vendors.

It comes barely two months after a similar tragedy in Ondo State, where at least 48 people reportedly died and 182 others were affected after consuming a locally brewed herbal alcoholic drink contaminated with toxic industrial methanol.

The September 2026 incident affected communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, including Araromi-Obu and Odigbo town.

The latest development has renewed concerns about the need for stronger monitoring of locally produced herbal preparations, public awareness and enforcement of regulations governing the sale of potentially harmful substances.

Police operatives have intervened to prevent a possible confrontation between supporters of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s political movement and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Calabar, Cross River State, amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 4, as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) prepared to hold a presidential town hall meeting featuring Obi, its presidential candidate, and Kwankwaso, his running mate.

According to reports, the tension developed when supporters of the NDC political movement gathered around a hotel on Murtala Mohammed Highway, near the U.J. Esuene Stadium, while APC supporters were conducting a street rally and road walk towards the Cross River State Government House.

The convergence of the rival political groups raised fears of a confrontation, prompting security operatives to intervene and separate the crowds.

Police Confirm Intervention

The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying its officers engaged members of both groups and appealed to them to exercise restraint.

Police spokesperson ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata said the intervention helped prevent a possible confrontation between participants at the NDC town hall meeting and APC supporters conducting their rally.

The police urged the groups to maintain peace and ensure that their political activities were conducted lawfully and without violence.

A police officer quoted anonymously in reports said the intervention was necessary to prevent the situation from escalating into a potentially violent encounter.

Hotel management subsequently restricted access to its premises while security personnel maintained order in the surrounding area.

Although the incident generated tension, the available reports did not establish that Obi’s convoy had been physically attacked or that anyone had sustained injuries.

Political Activities Intensify Ahead of 2027

The incident occurred as Obi and Kwankwaso continued political engagements under the NDC platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

Their town hall meeting in Calabar attracted a large crowd, with reports indicating that the venue became congested as supporters and residents gathered to participate in or observe the event.

The simultaneous presence of rival political groups in the area created a security challenge, particularly as crowds gathered around the meeting venue and access roads.

The incident highlights the importance of coordinating political rallies and public gatherings to reduce the risk of confrontations between supporters of competing parties.

Security Concerns Ahead of the General Election

The episode adds to concerns about political tolerance and public safety as parties and candidates increase their activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Political rallies, town hall meetings and campaign visits are central to democratic participation. However, tensions can arise when rival groups converge in the same locations, particularly where traffic congestion, competing mobilisation efforts or disputes over access to venues develop.

The police intervention in Calabar prevented the reported disagreement from escalating into a physical confrontation. The command has urged political actors and their supporters to exercise restraint and conduct their activities peacefully.

There was no verified indication in the reports reviewed that either the NDC or the APC had formally accused the other of organising an attack.

For now, the established account is that police separated rival political supporters in Calabar as Obi and Kwankwaso prepared for their town hall meeting. Claims that Obi’s convoy was attacked would require additional confirmation from the candidates, their campaign officials or security authorities.

Former Miss Taraba and Assistant Managing Director of Prime Planet Event Managers, Comfort Williams, has died.

Her death was announced on Monday, November 2, 2026, in a statement issued by Prime Planet Event Managers, organisers of the Mr and Miss Taraba pageants.

The organisation described Williams as a beloved and irreplaceable member of its team, saying she made a lasting impact on Nigeria’s pageantry and entertainment industry.

Williams was the 10th Miss Taraba and was widely recognised for her humanitarian activities, particularly initiatives aimed at supporting education and community development.

One of her recent projects involved the printing and distribution of educational books to students in support of the Taraba State Government’s free education policy.

At the time of her death, she was serving as the Assistant Managing Director of Prime Planet Event Managers, where she played a key role in the organisation’s activities.Some reports attributed her death to a brief illness.

However, the circumstances surrounding her passing had not been independently confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Her death has sparked tributes from members of the pageantry and entertainment community, who have remembered her contributions to the industry and her commitment to humanitarian causes.