Residents of Ila Odo community in the Odo Otin Local Government Area of Osun State have been gripped by fear following the death of a man, identified as Idowu Akanbi, his wife, one child and two grandchildren in a mysterious circumstance.‎
Members of the community told our correspondent in Osogbo on Wednesday that the five victims died one after another on Tuesday.
While residents were afraid that the victims might have died of a disease, those closer to them said it might be a result of food poisoning.
A female resident of the town, who asked not to be named, told our correspondent on the telephone that people were afraid because the cause of the death of the family of five had not been known.
She added that other members of the family, who were still alive, did not eat the same dinner with the deceased persons on Monday night.
Another resident, who identified himself as Poju Adegbite, said three out of the five victims had been buried, but the family was prevailed upon not to bury the remaining two to enable medical workers conduct autopsy on them.
He said the result of the autopsy would reveal the cause of the death, which had instilled fear in the mind of residents of Ila Odo and other neighbouring communities.
Adegbite said, "The affected family said they could not afford to pay any amount for autopsy. I think the government should come in and carry out the test. This will put the mind of the people at rest, especially if the incident is not related to any infectious disease."
The residents called on the state government to send health officials to the community, adding that prompt response would prevent further deaths because residents would take precautionary measures to keep safe.
Efforts to speak with the media aide to the state governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, were abortive as he did not pick his calls.
Also, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs. Folasade Odoro, could not be reached as calls put across to her telephone did not connect.

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