One person has reportedly died after consuming ‘Amala’ made from cassava peels in an attempt to alleviate their hunger.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night in Ogbomoso South/Ogo Oluwa Local Government area of Oyo State.
After consuming the amala, six family members began experiencing abdominal pain, prompting their neighbors to take swift action.
Neighbours urgently rushed the mother, Mrs Victoria Adewole, and the five children to Ogo Oluwa Hospital, which is located opposite Ogbomoso High School.
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However, the severity of their condition necessitated further medical attention.
Consequently, the hospital management referred them to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso.
Upon arrival at the teaching hospital, one of the children, a granddaughter, had already passed away.
The remaining five family members were admitted and are currently receiving care in the intensive care unit of the hospital.
A source revealed that the family had prepared Amala using ground cassava peels due to their inability to afford yam or cassava flour.
The source said:
“The family ate Amala dinner prepared from yam or cassava flour.
“One of the children managed to disclose that it was cassava peels that they ground and made into flour which they prepared as Amala, since they could not afford to buy yam or cassava flour.
“The complication from the peels might have resulted in the death of the youngest grand daughter, whose immune system might be very low.
“The mother and her other four children are still battling with life in the hospital. We plead with kind-hearted people to please assist the family in whatever way they can so that fatality is no longer recorded among them.”
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof Olawale Olakulehin has also confirmed the incident.
Olakulehin said:
“The one that gave up, died before getting to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso. As at this afternoon, four of the five undergoing treatment are in stable condition. However, one of them is in critical condition. I have just been updated.”
