A deacon at the Assemblies of God Church in Umuahia, Abia State Sunday Ugba and six others have died after allegedly eating local meat cuisine suya and fruit juice.
It was gathered that Mr Ugba, his two sons and four other children who were on holiday in the house died after the meal.
The only survivor in the family Ijeoma Ugba had explained that she ate the suya but did not take the juice.
Ms Ugba, who said that she did not suffer any ill health, told newsmen that her father and others that took the suya and fruit drink began to experience “serious stomach pain” shortly after.
“Barely one hour after taking the suya and juice, they started feeling serious stomach pains. There was serious commotion in the house, as everybody began to roll on the ground, crying for help.
“But after about 30 minutes, there was calm. Everybody seemed to have regained themselves.
“Around 10 p.m., we all retired to sleep. Unfortunately, in the morning, I woke up to see the lifeless bodies of my dad and brothers and the four children on holiday in our house,” she said.
Her mother was rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia where she is currently receiving medical treatment.
In a statement on Tuesday, Abia commissioner for information Okiyi Kalu advised relatives of the deceased persons to remain calm.
Mr Kalu stated that government had contacted all the relevant agencies “to investigate the unfortunate incident.”
“We wish to call for calm and patience to enable relevant medical authorities to properly determine the cause of the death of the seven persons,” he stated.
The commissioner conveyed the condolences of the state government to the relations and friends of the deceased.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the police in Abia Geoffrey Ogbonna said that the Command had “commenced investigation into the sad incident.”
Ogbonna, however, said that no arrest had been made, adding that “investigation is ongoing to ascertain the actual cause of the deaths.”
