Why Nigerians Stopped Eating Beans in 1996 After It Was Reported to Have Killed 15 People
- In 1996, a panic over allegedly poisoned beans in Lagos led to 15 reported deaths and significant economic impact, but investigations later revealed cholera as the true cause
- Lagos military governor, Colonel Buba Marwa, reassured the public by eating akara at a roadside stall, proving the beans were safe
- The government quickly vaccinated residents and repaired the contaminated water source to address the cholera outbreak
In 1996, a widespread panic gripped Lagos and surrounding regions after rumors spread that a batch of poisoned beans had led to multiple deaths.
The crisis began when thieves looted a warehouse, stealing bags of beans treated with pre-planting chemicals, and sold them at lower prices.
Source: Getty Images
By early September, seven people in Agege had reortedly died after consuming the beans, leading to a massive public scare.
The spread of fear
According Archivi, the fear quickly extended beyond Lagos to cities like Abeokuta, Ifo, and Ibadan.
Families stopped purchasing beans, and vendors of popular bean-based foods like akara and moin-moin faced business collapses.
By mid-September, reports linked 15 deaths to the so-called "killer beans," leaving over ₦400 million worth of beans unsold as consumers shunned the staple food.
Government response and investigation
To quell the growing panic, Lagos military governor, Colonel Buba Marwa, made a bold public statement on September 23.
He bought and ate akara from a roadside stall in Ketu, signaling to the public that the beans were safe. Subsequent investigations revealed that the deaths in Agege were not caused by the beans but by a cholera outbreak traced to contaminated water from a burst pipe.
The government swiftly vaccinated residents and repaired the pipe, addressing the real cause of the fatalities.
Former military governor of Lagos
Colonel Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) is a retired Nigerian Army Brigadier General and the current Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). He previously served as the Governor of Lagos State from 1996 to 1999 during the military regime.
Known for his bold and decisive actions, Marwa has been instrumental in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.
Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria
Cholera outbreaks in Nigeria are a recurring public health challenge, often linked to contaminated water and poor sanitation.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported over 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases of cholera with 30 deaths from January to June 2024.
Efforts to control the outbreaks include vaccination campaigns, improving water sanitation, and promoting hygiene practices
Tragedy at Ibadan church ‘love feast’
Legit.ng reported that a tragic incident has left the community of Apata, Ido Local Government Area, in a state of confusion and mourning. Last Sunday, a 'Love Feast'—popularly known as Ipese—organized by a white garment church in Ibadan resulted in the deaths of no fewer than five people.
Several others are currently receiving treatment at the Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo, Egbeda Local Government Area.
The cause of the incident remains unclear. A church source, who requested anonymity, stated, “I ate the same beans that everyone else, including the victims, ate, and nothing happened to me. It’s not clear that the incident is related to the Ipese, as some people are claiming."
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Source: Legit.ng
