5 Children Die, 8 Others Hospitalised After Consuming Poisoned Meat In Taraba

No fewer than five children have been confirmed dead, while eight others were receiving treatment after allegedly consuming a meat laced with rat poison in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Residents of the community woke up to the tragic incident in the early hours of Wednesday, February 25, 2025, following reports that several children began showing unusual symptoms consistent with food poisoning.

According to sources, the poison was reportedly purchased and mixed with a meat by a man who intended to use it to eliminate rodents in his home.

He was said to have warned his son not to touch the poisoned meat after keeping it indoors.

However, his daughter allegedly prepared and ate the meat, and later shared it with other children attending Islamiyya school nearby.

About 13 children were said to have consumed the meat before they began exhibiting symptoms of poisoning

The affected children were immediately rushed to the General TY Danjuma Hospital in Takum for urgent medical attention.

The tragic development has thrown the community into deep mourning, with families struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of their children.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Taraba State Command, ASP Victor Mshelizah, confirmed the incident, saying that security operatives have taken the man into custody while investigations were ongoing.

ASP Mshelizah disclosed that medical personnel confirmed five deaths, while eight other children are currently responding to treatment.

“The total number of victims is 13, five were confirmed dead by medical practitioners, while eight are currently responding to treatment.

“Further developments will be communicated accordingly,” the police spokesperson stated.