Four die in Abeokuta after drinking ‘Ogogoro’

Four people have died in Abeokuta, Ogun State, after drinking local liquor known as ogogoro. Three of the victims died instantly while the other one died later.
The vendor of the liquor which is suspected to bear high concentration of ethanol, Mr. Salako Taloju, has been arrested by the police.

He is a gateman who operates a kiosk opposite the Ibara – Abeokuta home of a prominent Egba politician.


The police simply gave the names of three of the deceased as Baba Imeko, Baba Onwenue and Easy.


The trio were living in the neighbourhood.

Taloju himself was heavily drunk when the police came for him yesterday. He attempted to resist arrest, pleading that he was innocent, but the Police ignored his plea and whisked him away in their vehicle.

Taloju said: “we have been drinking together for a long time. I do not know why they have to accuse me now of killing them, I have even taken out of the liquor and nothing happened.”

He noted that he could not report the incident to his boss, fearing likely consequences for ignoring repeated warning to shun local liquor.

“I don’t want my boss to get angry with me. He had warned me on several occasions not to drink again but I refused,” he said.