The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly , Funminiyi Afuye , on Thursday , directed the House Committee on Health to commence investigation into the death of a 45 -year -old woman and her two children , aged 12 and 14 , after an amala ( yam flour ) meal in Odo – Ayedun Ekiti in the Ikole Local Government Area of the state .
The woman ’ s husband , who is in his 50 s , and also partook in the meal, is said to be in a critical condition at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Ido Ekiti, as doctors are still battling to save his life .
Eyewitnesses said two dogs that also ate from the food died.
Afuye , who spoke at the plenary of the assembly , in response to the member representing the Ikole Constituency II , Adeoye Aribasoye , who brought the matter to the notice of the House , sympathised with the family of the deceased and the people of the community over the tragic incident .
Aribasoye had called for sympathy and investigation into the matter.
The lawmaker told journalists that the meal , which was prepared by the mother , was served to all members of the family as dinner .
He stated , “ After the meal on Saturday , the mother and her two children complained of stomach ache overnight and they resorted to self medication , which led to the death of the woman on Monday and the two children in quick succession between Monday and Tuesday .
“ Before the news of the deaths was broken to the father , he was already down and was rushed to the FETHI , where he is currently battling to stay alive .”
Aribasoye , who said the cause of the incident was still unknown , noted that food poisoning was suspected .
The lawmaker lamented the poor facilities at the health centre in Odo -Ayedun from which he noted the victims could have received first aid .
When contacted , the state Police Public Relations Officer , DSP Caleb Ikechukwu , confirmed the incident , saying the command would join hands with other institutions to investigate the cause of the deaths.
Newcirculate247