Tragedy has struck Amufu community in Edumoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, following the reported deaths of four siblings after they allegedly consumed a soft drink given to them by a relative.

The deceased children, aged 12, seven, five and three, reportedly died last week after falling ill days after consuming the drink.

The incident was brought to public attention by an Idoma activist, Meddy Olotu, who shared a lengthy video detailing the circumstances surrounding the deaths on his Facebook page.

In the video, the father of the deceased children alleged that the siblings became sick after sharing a bottle of soft drink reportedly given to them by their uncle, identified as Anthony Adam.

According to the grieving father, he was not at home when Adam allegedly gave the drink to the children.

He said the children developed symptoms two to three days later, prompting him to rush one of them to a hospital.

“I first rushed one to the hospital and returned so that I could take the rest to my relatives while we were in the hospital. Unfortunately, when I came back, I saw that one of them was also sick,” he said.

He added that the situation deteriorated rapidly, with three of the children reportedly dying within a short period before the fourth child also died.

“By 7am the following day, three of them were already dead, and by 12pm, we lost my first son,” the father said.

He described the incident as devastating, saying he was only prevented from taking his own life by people around him.

The bereaved father, however, said Adam and his son had denied knowledge of what might have caused the deaths.

A separate video circulating on social media also showed community youths allegedly apprehending Adam following the incident.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths have not been independently established, and it remains unclear whether the soft drink was responsible for the illness and subsequent deaths.

The incident comes amid another reported case of multiple deaths linked to suspected food poisoning in neighbouring Kogi State.

The Kogi State Government had ordered an immediate investigation into the deaths of four members of the same family in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, after they reportedly consumed a local delicacy, Amala.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement, saying Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had directed the Commissioner for Health to commence a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

Fanwo said the investigation would determine whether the deaths were caused by food poisoning, contamination or another medical or environmental factor.

He added that the reported death of the family’s dog after consuming the same food would also form part of the investigation.

The commissioner said relevant samples and other available evidence would be examined in line with established public health procedures, while the Ministry of Health would work with relevant agencies and stakeholders to establish the facts.

The government urged residents to remain calm and refrain from drawing conclusions on the cause of the deaths until the investigation is concluded.

It also assured the public that further information would be released once verified facts emerge.