66 deaths recorded in Nigeria killer gin tragedy

Sixty-six deaths have so far been recorded in a killer gin tragedy in Nigeria's southern state of Rivers since last week, a state official said Thursday.

In a statement signed by Nnana Onyekwere, the public health director in the state, 28 deaths were recorded on Wednesday, adding to the 38 initial figure of casualties given by officials.

Continued consumption of a locally brewed gin by local residents in the state had caused the monumental loss of lives, especially in the Obio/Akpor local district where more people were suspected to have consumed the banned drink, the statement said.

Riverine areas of the state have been most hit by the tragedy because the local people highly consume alcohol, especially the locally brewed gin.

The state official expressed sadness that despite banning of the consumption or selling of the gin by the government, and enlightenment talks given by health officials, local residents still went ahead to patronize sellers of the killer gin.

Local health officials on ground said Port Harcourt, the Nigerian oil hub and capital of the province, as well as Bonny, Gokana and Ahoada West areas of the state were also affected.

Last April, at least 30 people were killed when a similar tragedy hit the southwestern state of Ondo as local residents were found dead after taking the locally brewed gin. Endi