Tragedy in Community as Four Die After Drinking Local Liquor 'Ogogoro' in Ogun

Four persons have reportedly died in Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, Ogun State, after drinking a local liquor, popularly called ogogoro.

Photo used for illustrative purposes only

 

The residents of Ibara Housing Estate in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, were in confusion on Monday after tragedy hit them with the tragic death of four persons who reportedly died after drinking a local liquor, popularly called ogogoro.

 

The deceased were identified only as Baba Imeko, Baba Onwenue and Easy, while the fourth victim’s name had yet to be ascertained as three of the victims died on Monday when they all took the liquor, while the fourth victim died on Tuesday.

 

According to a shocking report by Punch Metro, the seller of the liquor, Salako Taloju, who also worked as a gateman, was nabbed by policemen very drunk at the time of arrest, and he told the police that the victims were residents of the area and he did not poison the liquor.

 

The suspect, Taloju who had been selling the liquor for over 20 years, resisted arrest, claiming that he was innocent. He later spoke incoherently to journalists and said, 

 

“We were friends and we had been drinking together for a long time. I do not know why they have to accuse me now of killing them. I also took out of the liquor and nothing happened to me.”

 

When asked if he had reported the matter to his boss, Taloju said, “Do you want to kill me? My boss has warned me on several occasions not to drink again, but I refused.”

 

One of the neighbours, Mrs. Kemi Adepitan, confirmed that the victims died after consuming the liquor.

“It is true that they died. Some other sympathisers and I paid a condolence visit to the house of one of the victims this morning,” she said.

 

The acting Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the command did not receive any report of death.

 

He said “As far as we are concerned, it is a rumour. If any of their relatives comes and complains that their family members died, then, we can confirm it. We have not seen any corpse. Even though a suspect has been arrested, he is drunk and we cannot rely on his statement.”