At least, five worshippers have died after eating during a feast at a white garment church in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Several other worshippers were hospitalized at the Infectious Disease Centre in the Olodo area of Ibadan.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday within the church premises in Apata, Ido Local Government Area, has thrown the community into a state of confusion.
It was gathered that scores of the worshippers ate from the food prepared for the celebration and five people reportedly lost their lives after eating from the food.
It was said that 50 of the worshippers who also ate from the food were later admitted to the Infectious Disease Centre and had been discharged from the centre.
The 50 people who were admitted to the centre were discharged on Saturday (yesterday).
The feast otherwise known as ipese, as reliably informed, is part of the traditional events in conformity with the church’s doctrine.
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.
A Love Feast, also known as an Agape Feast, is a communal meal shared among Christians, originating from the early church.
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.
