-Deborah Modupe
No fewer than five people were confirmed dead, while several others are receiving treatment at the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, following their participation in a ‘Love Feast’ —popularly known as Ipese — organised by a white garment church in Ibadan.
The incident, which occurred today, Sunday within the church premises in Apata, Ido Local Government Area, has thrown the community into a state of confusion.
A church source, who requested anonymity, revealed that it has yet to be established whether the Ipese meal was responsible for the deaths.
“I ate the same beans that everyone else, including the victims, ate, and nothing happened to me.
“It’s not clear that the incident is related to the Ipese, as some people are claiming. Various government agencies, including the police, DSS, media outlets, and even the World Health Organization, have been here to investigate. Their findings haven’t been made public yet, but I can assure you it’s not about Ipese,” he said.
Confirming the incident, a staff member at the Infectious Disease Centre, who spoke anonymously, stated that 50 of the victims who were rushed to the centre had been treated and discharged.
“Some of the affected people were brought here for treatment. So far, 50 have been discharged, while others are still receiving care,” the official said.
The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident. Osifeso noted that investigations are ongoing.