A devastating incident has struck the Karkari village in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State, where a mother and her five children tragically lost their lives after consuming a meal prepared with expired cassava flour.
The incident, which occurred at the home of the late Malam Abdulkarim on Thursday, August 15, has shocked the local community.
The deceased, identified as Alhakatu Abdulkarim, a widow, and her five children—Bashir, Firdausi, Hafsat, Usman, and Jamilu—were reportedly the only members of their household.
According to a neighbor, Garba Muhammad, the family was enduring severe economic hardship and hunger.
In a desperate attempt to feed her children, Alhakatu resorted to using expired cassava flour to prepare Danwake, a traditional Hausa delicacy.
“Due to the dire financial situation and lack of alternatives, the widow used the expired flour, which led to the death of the entire family,” Garba told Daily Trust.
The six family members were rushed to Gwarzo General Hospital after consuming the food, but they were all pronounced dead upon arrival.
The Kano State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the tragic event and stated that an investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of their deaths.
This heartbreaking event has highlighted the severe impact of economic hardship on vulnerable families in the region and has sparked calls for increased support and intervention for those living in poverty.
