THREE young men have died while others were hospitalised after an alcohol drinking competition organised by an influential man in Uwenwen community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
It was learnt the incident happened during the New Year celebration.
Alhough the names of the deceased could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, it was, however, gathered that they were all middle-aged men.
It was further gathered that the influential man (names withheld) was said to have announced that anyone who takes the highest quantity of locally made gin (Ogogoro) would be rewarded.
Our source who pleaded anonymity said the influential man was said to have promised the young men that anyone who takes the highest quantity of alcohol would be presented with N130,000.
On hearing the amount, which was considered huge, the trio, according to our source, started drinking of the raw local gin popularly known as ogogoro.
According to the source, to make matters worse, the young men did not just take the raw ogogoro alone, but mixed it with all sorts of herbal concoction, including Cannabis leaves which made them unconscious after taking sometime and in the process, all three died.
Efforts to reach Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe on the matter as at yesterday, proved abortive.
