No fewer than nine residents of Ilokun GRA, within the vicinity of Progress FM in Ado-Ekiti, have been hospitalised after inhaling thick smoke emanating from a dumpsite located in the area.

The victims, including children, were rushed to a nearby hospital after inhaling the thick smoke from the dumpsite, which was set on fire.

Heavy smoke generated from burning at the dumpsite was said to have enveloped the whole community a few minutes after it was set ablaze, which invariably affected the health of inhabitants.

Meanwhile, some community members have protested the dumpsite’s location and called for its relocation.

Confirming the incident, Olayinka Ajayi, the landlord association’s treasurer, told journalists that she was one of the victims.

Ms Ajayi claimed she was rushed to the hospital, adding that she was restored to life with an inhaler when she could not breathe properly after inhaling the smoke.

She said the best option was to relocate the dumpsite from the community. According to her, it has subjected residents to various health hazards.

In his reaction, Bayo Keleku, the sole administrator of the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority, said the government was trying its best to manage the dumpsite in a way that would not pose any health threat to residents.

Mr Keleku said the site was set ablaze by suspected bystanders and not the agency’s workers as speculated. 

(NAN)