A tragic occurrence happened in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State when three siblings from the same household died after eating beans purchased from the Garriki Market.
The event, which occurred in Agu-Uwani, Akwuke, has prompted concerns about the safety of beans sold in several markets throughout Enugu and neighbouring states.
The victims were the children of Mr Callistus Egbo, who owns Elohim Primary and Secondary School in Agu-Uwani and is from Nenwe, Aninri Local Government Area.
According to accounts, the family ate the beans on Tuesday evening and suddenly became unwell, killing one kid that evening and the other two the following day.
Meanwhile, according to footage circulating in several WhatsApp conversation groups, the father of the deceased children, Callistus Egbo, has been gravely ill at a private hospital in Enugu.
Although no medical report has been issued to validate or confirm the cause of death, food poisoning from infected beans is widely assumed.
This terrible occurrence has sent shockwaves across the community, raising worries about food safety and emphasising the significance of proper handling and inspection.
According to a source close to the occurrence, as a result of the disaster, many individuals in their neighbourhood have stopped eating beans and bean-related foods like Akara and Moi Moi.
“It was indeed a big tragedy that the incident befell the family. Since the incident three or four days ago, nobody has been eating beans in our area, not even Akara and Moi-Moi. Go to the Garriki Market and the shops in the streets and see if anybody is selling Moi Moi or Akara.
“We are praying that the man will not die so that his wife who travelled at the time they ate the meal will not die. May the souls of the departed children rest in peace, and may their father recover soon,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the authorities have kept mute about the tragedy, with neither the police nor the state administration issuing an official statement.
