Hunger: One dies, four hospitalised after eating cassava peel

One person died in Temidire Atoyebi area, along Ajaawa in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, after a family of six allegedly ate grind cassava peel to prepare Amala.

The family comprised a grandmother identified as Mrs. Victoria Adewole, her four children and a granddaughter.

It was gathered that the family became uncomfortable few hours after eating the food.

Residents of the area said the family made the amala from cassava peel that they grind since they could not afford to buy yam or cassava flour.

Sources said distress call from the affected family aroused attention of neighbours who rushed in and took them to a private hospital at Ogbomoso Baptist High School area where the granddaughter reportedly died.

The victims were later taken to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso.

One of the sources said, “One of the children managed to disclose that it was cassava peels that they grind and made into flour,  and prepared as amala, since they could not afford to buy yam or cassava flour.

“The complication from the peels, which could have been poisoned or contaminated, resulted in the death of the granddaughter.

“The mother and her other four children are still battling with life in the hospital.”

The Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, confirmed the incident, saying four out of the five remaining family members are responding to treatment in the hospital.

He stated that one of the victims is in critical condition while one died before getting to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.