By Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Over 12 students and some of their teachers at the Government Day Secondary School, as well as pupils of a neighbouring nursery school, in Waapela, a rural community in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State, last Monday, took ill and were rushed to various hospitals after they ate a native meal called Akpakpa.

Principal of the school, Mr. David Duetsav could not be gotten on his phone for details, but an eye witness, Mr. Aondohemba Bo said that the meal was sold to the students and some teachers during break time.

Mr. Bo said few minutes after they took the meal and resumed classes, the students and teachers started vomiting, a development which was immediately reported to the school authorities which directed that the victims be rushed to the local government health clinic in the area.

Mr. Bo Said some victims were taken to the General Hospital in Gboko, by parents who were dissatisfied with their treatment at the local government health care.

Aondohemba Bo who broke the news, told newsmen on phone that the seller of the meal was invited for questioning by the school authorities and was at the point of being handed over to the police at press time.

He said over 12 students as well as some teachers ate the meal, maintaining that the incident was attributed to food poisoning as everybody who ate the meal was rushed to the hospital for stomach ache and vomiting.