The Ondo State Government has confirmed the deaths of 24 residents of Odigbo Local Government Area after they consumed a herbal liquid substance.
The victims were from Araromi Obu and Odigbo town. The incident happened on Saturday and has left the two communities mourning.
A source said the victims took the substance at different locations before some became unconscious. Eight people died in Araromi Obu, while 16 died in Odigbo town. Others who consumed the substance were taken to hospitals.
The source said, “They (the deceased) drank the herbal substance and started dying. Eight people died in Araromi Obu while 16 others lost their lives in Odigbo town, but we have yet to confirm if it was what they drank that killed them. But we are sure that the people died after drinking the herbal drinks.
“Some of the people died in their sleep while some died when they got home, and many are still in the hospital as I am talking to you.”
Odigbo LGA Chairman, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the deaths and said an autopsy would determine the actual 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. But we have yet to ascertain the cause of the deaths, 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.”
Adegoroye banned the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks as a precaution.
A preliminary verbal autopsy by the local government health team indicated a possible link between the deaths and the substances.
The state Health Commissioner, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident, saying investigations were ongoing. He said medical officials would assess the affected communities but did not identify the suspected substance.
“The government is taking the matter seriously, and we will provide more details after the ongoing investigation has established the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Meanwhile, youths protested at the palace of the Odigbo traditional ruler, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, demanding answers and urgent action.
The monarch appealed for calm and promised efforts to uncover what caused the deaths and find a lasting solution.
