Tragedy in Anambra: Five Siblings Die After Family food Mother Hospitalised — One Child Survives

 

A deep wave of sorrow has swept through Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as tragedy struck a family of eight. Five siblings have died from suspected food poisoning, leaving their 79-year-old father devastated and their mother fighting for her life in a hospital.

The heart-wrenching incident occurred on Saturday, May 3, 2025, and has left the entire community in mourning. According to the grieving father, Pa Robinson Aghalu, a retired soldier, the children began complaining of severe stomach pains and vomiting shortly after eating a meal prepared by their mother.

The situation quickly escalated, and the children were rushed to various hospitals including a nearby maternity clinic, Iyienu Mission Hospital, and Crown Hospital. Despite desperate efforts by medical professionals, five of the six children tragically passed away.

Their mother, who also consumed the same meal, is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, battling the same symptoms.

Only one child was spared—simply because they were away at the time, studying with a relative.

"The doctor treating my wife believes it was food poisoning," Pa Aghalu recounted with a heavy heart.

In response to the incident, the Anambra State Police Command has launched a full investigation. Spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that food samples have been collected for forensic testing, and officers are actively gathering information from the neighborhood to aid the inquiry.

“The scene has been secured, and the bodies have been deposited in the morgue,” Ikenga stated.

Meanwhile, the family is said to be in urgent need of financial and emotional support to manage hospital bills and burial arrangements.

This devastating event serves as a chilling reminder of how quickly life can change—and the importance of food safety, medical readiness, and community solidarity in times of crisis.