At least 24 people have died in two communities in Ondo State’s Odigbo Local Government Area after reportedly consuming a herbal liquid substance.
The deaths occurred in Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, where eight people reportedly died in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town.
The Ondo State Government confirmed the deaths on Wednesday but said investigations were still ongoing to establish whether the substance consumed by the victims was responsible.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Saturday, has left residents of the affected communities in mourning, while several other people who consumed the substance are said to be receiving treatment in hospitals.
A resident who spoke on the incident said some of the victims became unconscious after consuming the herbal drink and later died.
“They drank the herbal substance and started dying. Eight people died in Araromi Obu while 16 lost their lives in Odigbo town,” the source said.
The source added that some of the victims reportedly died while asleep or after returning home, while others were taken to hospitals for treatment.
Confirming the deaths, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Adegoroye, said authorities were yet to determine the exact cause.
“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,” Adegoroye said.
He explained that the local government was awaiting a medical team from the state Ministry of Health to conduct tests and autopsies on the deceased.
“We are yet to ascertain the cause of the death and we are still waiting for the team from the state Ministry of Health to carry out the test on the deceased. That is why we can’t specifically say the real cause,” he said.
As a precautionary measure, Adegoroye said the local government had suspended the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the affected area.
He added that a preliminary verbal autopsy conducted by the local government health team had suggested a possible connection between the deaths and consumption of the substances.
The state Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident and said health authorities were investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Ajaka said the government had yet to identify the specific substance suspected to be responsible, adding that medical personnel would carry out further assessments in the affected communities.
“The government is taking the matter seriously and we will provide more details after the ongoing investigation has established the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he said.
The deaths also triggered a protest by some youths in Odigbo town, who marched to the palace of the traditional ruler to demand answers and urgent intervention to prevent further casualties.
The monarch, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed to the youths to remain calm, assuring them that relevant authorities would investigate the incident and work towards finding a lasting solution.
