Five dead, many others hospitalized after eating ‘love feast’ in Oyo church

At least five people have tragically died, and many others have been hospitalized after consuming a beans meal prepared as part of a ‘love feast’ known as ‘Ipese’ at a white garment church in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The incident occurred on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the church located in the Apata area of Ido Local Government.

Health officials at the Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo, Egbeda Local Government Area, confirmed the deaths and revealed that numerous victims were rushed to the center for emergency treatment.

A source at the center disclosed that 50 of the victims have since been treated and discharged, but the incident has left the community in shock.

“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.

Also confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Oyo State Command, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident.

Osifeso said investigations were ongoing on the incident.

Although the incident has thrown the community into a state of confusion, however, a church source, who requested anonymity, revealed that it was yet to be established whether the meal was responsible for the deaths or not.

“I ate the same beans that everyone else, including the victims, ate, and nothing happened to me,” the source said, wondering if the ‘Ipese’ was responsible for the incident as being claimed by some people.

“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,” the source stated.