Native hot drinking popularly know as Ogogoro is well known in Nigeria and suffice to say, it is also well known that their has been recent deaths which has been attributed to the "over consumption" of this native hot drinks. Well it is that time again as it has claimed the life of 4 Nigerians again. Weda you call it ogogoro or kparaga or shipke or kii kii, they are all the same thing.

It was a sad day in Ibara Housing Estate of Abeokuta, Ogun State. After drinking the local liquor, popularly called Ogogoro or illicit gin, four people reportedly died. According to Punch the seller of the liquor, Salako Taloju, who also worked as a gateman, was arrested by policemen from the Ibara Police Station on Tuesday, August 16.

The suspect said that the victims were residents of the area and he did not poison the liquor. The deceased were identified by their nicknames: Baba Imeko, Baba Onwenue and Easy, while the fourth victim’s name had yet to be ascertained. It was gathered that Taloju, who had been selling the liquor for over 20 years, resisted arrest, claiming that he was innocent.

Taloju, who spoke incoherently to journalists, 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 residents of the area, Mrs Kemi Adepitan, confirmed that the victims died after consuming the liquor. She said: “It is true that they died.

Some other sympathizers and I paid a condolence visit to the house of one of the victims this morning.” 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 rumor. 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.”

Meanwhile it has become obvious that the ancient tradition of herbal remedies is making a resurgence and finding its way back not only onto the market, but more especially into the hearts of many people who, despite the availability of orthodox medicine, are redirecting their healthcare towards the raw provision of nature. Many people have resorted to the tradition of taking drinks like this.

more @ http://www.exlinklodge.com/2016/08/4-people-died-in-abeokuta-ogun-state.html