As the state government and police begin probe into the tragic death of 24 people in parts of Odigbo local government area of Ondo State, some residents have narrated how the victims met their untimely death.
The residents and public officials, who spoke on the incident yesterday, linked it to the consumption of suspected herbal concoctions and locally brewed alcoholic drinks.
The deaths were reported in Odigbo town, Araromi-Obu and Orita New Town, all in the Odigbo council, with several other suspected victims said to be receiving treatment in hospitals.
A resident in one of the affected communities told LEADERSHIP that the incident began after a woman who regularly sold liquor and herbal preparations brought a concoction to a popular spot known as “Abe Igi” in the community.
The source said, “A liquor trader brought and sold a herbal concoction to some of the residents in the town, who bought and drank the substance.
“Some hours later, some of them became unconscious and later died, while some were rushed to the hospital and are currently hospitalised,” the source who does not want his name in print, said.
He explained that the woman regularly sold the concoction at “Abe Igi”, adding that she disappeared from the community after the incident.
“She is a regular seller there. After the incident, we couldn’t find the woman again. Some people are saying she fled for fear of being arrested,” the source said.
The allegation could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report, while the woman has not been publicly identified by the authorities as being responsible for the deaths.
Also confirming the incident, 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.
He specifically mentioned a locally produced drink popularly known as “Monkey Tail,” as well as other locally prepared herbal and ethanol-based drinks.
Adeji, however, stressed that laboratory analysis of samples collected by the medical team was still ongoing, adding that further investigations would be required to establish whether there was any direct connection between the consumption of the locally brewed drinks and the reported deaths.
The development prompted the chairman of Odigbo council, Hon. Taiwo Adegoroye, to impose a one-month ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area as a precautionary measure.
Adegoroye said the decision was taken to protect the residents while investigations into the deaths continued.
According to him, “We have imposed a one-month ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area as a precautionary measure.”
The chairman said a preliminary investigation conducted by the local government health team indicated a possible link between the reported deaths and consumption of the substances.
He said, “A preliminary investigation conducted by the local government health team indicated a possible link between the reported deaths and the consumption of the substances.”
Adegoroye, however, stressed that the preliminary finding did not amount to a final determination of the cause of the deaths, noting that toxicological investigations were still ongoing.
“Further toxicological investigations are ongoing to establish the exact causes of the deaths,” he stressed.
The development was also confirmed by the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, who said the state government had commenced investigations to determine the actual cause of the deaths.
Ajaka said, “We are aware of the incident, and investigations are ongoing to determine what actually happened. We are taking the matter seriously and will provide further information as soon as the investigation gives us a clearer picture.”
The commissioner did not disclose any specific substance as the cause of the deaths, stressing the need for medical assessments and laboratory examinations before any conclusion could be reached.
He said, “We need further medical assessments and laboratory examinations before any conclusion can be reached.”
As the investigation progressed, the Ondo State Police Command also commenced a comprehensive probe into the reported deaths.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, said the command had taken note of reports concerning the deaths of residents in Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Orita New Town under circumstances suspected to be connected with possible poisoning.
According to the command, police personnel, including those from the Police Medical Services, were working with officials of the Ondo State Ministry of Health and the Odigbo Local Government health authorities to collect relevant information and evidence.
The PPRO said, “The Ondo State Police Command has taken note of reports concerning the deaths of some residents in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area, including Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Orita New Town, under circumstances suspected to be connected with possible poisoning.
“Police personnel including Police Medical Services are working closely with officials of the Ondo State Ministry of Health and the Odigbo Local Government health authorities in the collection of relevant information and evidence, while medical and toxicological examinations are being conducted to ascertain the substance, if any, responsible for the fatalities.”
The command also urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities by providing useful information that could assist the investigation.
The Command assured members of the public that the police would unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and take appropriate action against anyone found culpable.
Meanwhile, the deaths had already generated anger and anxiety among residents, particularly youths in the affected communities.
The incident sparked a protest with youths taking to the streets and proceeding to the palace of the Odigbo traditional ruler, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, to demand explanations over the deaths and urgent measures to prevent further loss of lives.
The protesters reportedly expressed concern over the sudden deaths and demanded that urgent steps be taken to identify what was responsible and prevent further fatalities.
Addressing the protesters at his palace, Oba Akinrinmade appealed for calm and assured them that efforts would be made to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths and find a lasting solution to the situation.
With investigations now being conducted by the state health authorities, the local government and the police, the exact cause of the deaths remains subject to medical and toxicological examinations.
Residents have meanwhile been urged to avoid consuming suspicious herbal preparations, locally brewed alcoholic drinks and other unverified substances pending the conclusion of the investigations.
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