4 Herders Die, 2 Hospitalized After Eating Poisonous Fish in Taraba

The chairman of Takum Local Government Area in Taraba State, Hon. John Ali, has confirmed that four individuals from Kashimbila Ward have died and two others have been hospitalized after consuming a meal made with suspected poisonous fish.

Ali shared the tragic news with LEADERSHIP in Jalingo, the state capital, on Wednesday morning. He described the deaths of the four herders as alarming, particularly since two others are still in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital.

The incident occurred on February 22, 2025, near a community close to the Kashimbila Multi-Purpose Dam. According to Ali, the herders—Abdul Juli, Sule Abubakar, Adamu Mato, Saidu Payo, Yusuf Musa, and Ibrahim Haruna—were grazing their cattle when they discovered an abandoned fish at the bank of the Kashimbila River. Unaware that the fish was poisonous, they decided to cook it for their meal.

Ali explained that the herders did not have the knowledge to distinguish between edible and non-edible fish. “Due to lack of awareness, they cooked the poisonous fish, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals,” he said.

He further clarified that the fish they consumed is called “Frog Fish,” known for its toxicity. “Even other fish in the river avoid it. If any other fish comes into contact with it, it begins to rot immediately,” he noted.

Ali added that four of the six herders who ate the fish died on the spot, while the remaining two, Yusuf Musa and Ibrahim Haruna, are receiving treatment in a hospital in Takum. He also mentioned that he would visit the village to assess the situation further.

The tragic incident highlights the dangers of unfamiliarity with local wildlife and the potential risks of consuming unknown species.