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.
Vanguard Features, VF, 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.
VF 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
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 with VF, 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 told VF.
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.
"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
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