At least 24 people have died after consuming a herbal liquid substance in two communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The deaths, recorded in Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, have thrown the communities into mourning, with several other residents reportedly hospitalised after consuming the substance.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has also triggered concern among residents and prompted the state government to commence investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
A source in the area said eight people died in Araromi Obu, while 16 others reportedly died in Odigbo town.
The source said some of the victims became unconscious after consuming the substance and later died, while others were rushed to hospitals for treatment.
“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, however, acknowledged that the actual cause of the deaths had yet to be established, adding that some of the victims reportedly died while asleep or after returning home.
Confirming the deaths, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Mr Taiwo Adegoroye, said the 24 victims had consumed the substance before their deaths were recorded.
Adegoroye, however, stressed that the local government had yet to establish whether the herbal drink was responsible for the deaths.
“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 deaths. 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.
The council chairman disclosed that he had ordered a ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area as a precautionary measure.
He added that a preliminary verbal autopsy conducted by the local government health team indicated a possible connection between the reported deaths and consumption of the substances.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident, saying the government had commenced investigations to determine what caused the deaths.
Ajaka said medical and health officials would carry out further assessments in the affected communities, but did not identify the substance suspected to be responsible.
“The government is taking the matter seriously and we will provide more details after the ongoing investigation has established the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the commissioner said.
Meanwhile, some youths in Odigbo staged a mini-protest and proceeded to the palace of the traditional ruler, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, to demand explanations and urgent action to prevent further deaths.
Addressing the protesters, the monarch appealed for calm and assured them that relevant authorities would work to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and find a lasting solution to the situation.
The state government is expected to release further details after the ongoing medical investigations and autopsies are concluded.
