Twenty-four people have reportedly died while several others were hospitalised following suspected food poisoning in Araromi Obu and Odigbo towns in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The incident, which occurred last weekend, has sparked protests and anger in the affected communities.
Eight deaths were recorded in Araromi Obu, while 16 others were reported in Odigbo town.
Following the deaths, youths in Araromi Obu took to the streets to protest and marched to the palace of the traditional ruler, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, demanding urgent action to prevent further fatalities.
Sources said the deaths might be linked to the consumption of poisonous substances suspected to have been contained in sachet herbal concoctions.
Some of the victims reportedly died in their homes, while others were said to have died in their sleep.
Addressing the protesters, Oba Akinrinmade appealed for calm and assured them that efforts would be made to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and find a lasting solution.
The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr Ayodele Adiji, said preliminary findings suggested a possible link between the deaths and the consumption of locally brewed alcoholic beverages.
Adiji specifically mentioned a locally produced drink as well as other herbal and ethanol-based drinks.
He, however, said laboratory analysis of samples collected was ongoing to establish a direct connection between the drinks and the deaths.
In response to the incident, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Hon. Taiwo Adegoroye, imposed a one-month ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed herbal drinks in the area as a precautionary measure.
Adegoroye said a preliminary verbal autopsy conducted by the council’s health team indicated a possible link between the deaths and the substances.
He warned that anyone found selling or distributing the banned drinks during the restriction period would be arrested and prosecuted.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, said investigations were ongoing to determine the actual cause of the deaths.
Ajaka added that the state government was taking the matter seriously and would provide further details after assessments in the affected communities.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the command, in collaboration with the state government and relevant health authorities, had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incidents.
Abayomi said police personnel, including officers from the Police Medical Services, were working with officials of the Ondo State Ministry of Health and Odigbo Local Government health authorities to collect relevant information and evidence.
He said medical and toxicological examinations were also being conducted to establish the substance, if any, responsible for the fatalities.
The police spokesperson cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information or attributing the deaths to any particular substance while investigations and laboratory analyses were still ongoing.
“The actual number of casualties and the precise cause of the deaths will be established through the ongoing investigation,” Abayomi said.
He urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities by providing useful information that could assist the investigation.
Abayomi also advised members of the public to refrain from consuming unregulated or suspicious alcoholic and herbal preparations pending the outcome of the investigation.
He said the command was committed to unraveling the circumstances surrounding the incidents and would take appropriate action against anyone found culpable.
“The Command will continue to liaise with the Ondo State Government and relevant agencies and will provide further updates as soon as credible findings emerge,” he said.
