No fewer than 24 people have died in two communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State after consuming suspected herbal concoctions, triggering a health emergency and a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Eight of the victims reportedly died in Araromi-Obu, while 16 others died in Odigbo town, with several residents who consumed the substances currently receiving treatment in hospitals.
The deaths occurred over the weekend and have thrown the affected communities into mourning, amid growing concerns over the safety of locally brewed alcoholic and herbal preparations.
Although the victims were reported to have consumed the substances shortly before they died, authorities have warned against drawing a definitive link between the drinks and the deaths until medical and laboratory investigations are concluded.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the death toll on Wednesday, saying the council was awaiting further medical examinations to establish the actual cause of the fatalities.
“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.
“But 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.”
A source in one of the affected communities said the victims consumed the herbal substance at different locations before some of them became unconscious.
According to the source, some victims died in their sleep, while others reportedly died after returning home.
“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 it was yet to be established whether the substance was responsible for the deaths.
“Many are still in the hospital as I am talking to you,” the source added.
Police probe deaths
The development has prompted an investigation by the police and health authorities as officials seek to determine whether poisoning was responsible for the deaths.
Reports said medical and health officials have begun collecting samples for laboratory analysis, while further examinations are expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
Adegoroye said: “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.”,
The police have also commenced inquiries, with authorities urging residents to avoid speculation while the investigation continues.
Council bans local alcoholic drinks
As a precautionary measure, the Odigbo Local Government Council has imposed a one-month ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area.
Adegoroye said the restriction was intended to protect residents while investigations into the deaths continue.
The council reportedly warned that anyone found selling or distributing the banned drinks during the period could face arrest and prosecution.
The development has heightened anxiety in the affected communities, particularly among families whose relatives are still receiving treatment.
Health officials are expected to provide further information after the completion of laboratory tests and other medical examinations.
Until then, authorities have maintained that the cause of the deaths cannot be conclusively attributed to the herbal preparations.
The Ondo incident has nevertheless renewed concerns about the consumption of unregulated herbal mixtures and locally produced alcoholic drinks, particularly preparations whose ingredients and production processes are unknown.
For the families of the 24 victims, however, the immediate priority remains clear: finding out what caused the deaths and ensuring that no further lives are lost.