A tragic incident has claimed the lives of four people and left two others hospitalized after they consumed a suspected poisonous fish in Kashimbila ward, of Takum local government area of Taraba State.
Making the confirmation, the council Chairman, John Ali, said the incident, which occurred on February 22, 2025.
According to reports, the victims, all herders, unknowingly prepared and ate a toxic fish species found abandoned near the Kashimbila Multi-Purpose Dam.
The deceased have been identified as Abdul Juli, Sule Abubakar, Adamu Mato, and Saidu Payo. Two survivors, Yusuf Musa and Ibrahim Haruna, were rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Ali explained that the herders mistakenly assumed the fish was safe for consumption, resulting in the fatal outcome.
“The herders, while grazing their cattle, came across some abandoned fish at the riverbank. Unaware of the danger, they picked and cooked the fish for a meal,” he stated.
The chairman further identified the species as a highly toxic variety known locally as “Frog-Fish,” which he described as dangerous even to other aquatic life.
“This particular species is so poisonous that even other fish in the river avoid them. If they come in contact with another fish, that fish rots immediately,” Ali explained.
He assured that he would visit the affected community to assess the situation firsthand.
Meanwhile, local sources confirmed that the four victims died shortly after consuming the meal, while the two survivors remain under medical care.