Rivers killer local gin: Death toll rises to 68

The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) has backed the ban placed by the Federal Government on the sale of local gin (ogogoro), while calling for stringent punishment for its producers, distributors and sellers, as death toll from the consumption of the gin in Rivers State has risen to 68.

NARD, yesterday in Port Harcourt, through its President, Dr. Dan Jumbo, in company with the General Secretary, Dr. Daniel Gbujie, and the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr. Jimi Sodipo, declared that the Federal Government must ensure stiff penalties for errant producers, distributors and sellers of the deadly gin.

The association, while condoling with the families that lost their loved ones, admonished members of the public to desist from further sale and consumption of the killer gin.

NARD said: “As we condole with the families who suffer the unfortunate losses, we also call on the general public to please heed the ban placed by the Federal Government on the sale of the gin.

“Even, without methanol, ogogoro is a deadly poison and there is the need to sensitise the members of the public to avoid its production, distribution and consumption. This is to bring to an end, the scale of destruction caused by this poison.”