The Ondo State Government has confirmed the death of 24 residents of Odigbo Local Government Area following the consumption of a herbal liquid substance, with several others hospitalised.
The deaths occurred in two communities, Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, where eight people reportedly died in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, September 5, has thrown the affected communities into mourning.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the death toll but stressed that authorities had yet to establish the actual cause of the deaths. He said a medical team from the Ondo State Ministry of Health was expected to conduct tests and autopsies on the deceased.
“We can confirm the death of 24 people, eight in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town, and many are still on admission at hospitals. But we are yet to ascertain the cause of the death,” Adegoroye said.
According to sources in the affected communities, some of the victims reportedly became unconscious after consuming the substance, while others allegedly died after returning home or while asleep. Several other residents who consumed the substance were subsequently rushed to hospitals for treatment.
As a precautionary measure, Adegoroye said the local government had banned the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the affected communities. A preliminary verbal autopsy by the local government health team reportedly indicated a possible link between the deaths and consumption of the substances, although further medical examination is required.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident and said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths. He said the specific substance suspected to be responsible had not been established.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the deaths, which it said were suspected to be connected with possible poisoning. The command urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information or attributing the deaths to any particular substance pending the outcome of laboratory analyses.
Some youths in Odigbo subsequently protested at the palace of the traditional ruler, demanding explanations and urgent action. The monarch, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed for calm and assured the protesters that efforts were being made by the authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and prevent further casualties.
