By: Zagazola Makama
A tragic incident has struck Kashimbila in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, where four individuals lost their lives, and two others are battling for survival after consuming a poisonous fish.
According to intelligence sources, six Fulani herders—Abdul Juli, Sule Abubakar, Adamu Mato, Saidu Payo, Yusuf Musa, and Ibrahim Haruna—set out on a fishing expedition at a nearby river on the night of February 22, around 10:00 PM. Unaware of the lurking danger, they caught and prepared what turned out to be a highly toxic species of fish.
Shortly after consuming the meal, they developed severe symptoms of poisoning. By the morning of February 23, their condition worsened, prompting a rush to the Primary Health Centre in Kashimbila. Unfortunately, four of them—Juli, Abubakar, Mato, and Payo—were pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.
The remaining two, Yusuf Musa and Ibrahim Haruna, are currently receiving urgent medical care at the same facility.
A concerned resident, Haruna Isiaka of Chidawa Village, promptly reported the distressing incident to the authorities. Law enforcement officers have since deposited the bodies at the hospital mortuary for autopsy while launching an investigation to determine the exact cause of poisoning.
This alarming event has left the Kashimbila community in shock, raising concerns about potential contamination of local water bodies or the presence of a dangerous fish species in the area. Authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution when consuming locally caught fish until further investigations are concluded.
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