Five Dead, Others Hospitalized After Church ‘Love Feast’ in Oyo State

At least five people have been confirmed dead, with several others receiving treatment following a ‘Love Feast’—popularly known as Ipese—organized by a white garment church in Ibadan, Oyo State. The tragic incident occurred last Sunday within the church premises in Apata, Ido Local Government Area, throwing the community into confusion.

While the cause of the deaths remains unconfirmed, it is speculated that the meal served during the feast may have been responsible. However, a church source, speaking anonymously, expressed doubts about the connection between the meal and the deaths.

“I ate the same beans that everyone else, including the victims, ate, and nothing happened to me,” the source said. “It’s not clear that the incident is related to the Ipese, as some people are claiming. Various government agencies, including the police, DSS, media outlets, and even the World Health Organization, have been here to investigate. Their findings haven’t been made public yet.”

A staff member at the Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo, where the victims were taken for treatment, confirmed that 50 of those affected had been treated and discharged. “Some of the affected people were brought here for treatment. So far, 50 have been discharged, while others are still receiving care,” the staff member said.

The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, also confirmed the incident, noting that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the deaths and illnesses.

The tragic event has left the community in shock, as authorities work to uncover the factors that led to the fatalities.