The death toll from the consumption of suspected toxic herbal drinks in Ondo State has risen to 49, with no fewer than 170 people reportedly affected across three local government areas of the state.
The latest development came barely days after 24 residents of Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area were reported dead after consuming the suspected herbal substance.
Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Mr Taiwo Adegoroye, had disclosed that eight people initially died in Araromi-Obu while 16 others lost their lives in Odigbo town.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, who confirmed the figure rose from 29 to 49 as of Wednesday, said the situation in the council area had subsided following the prompt intervention of the state and local government medical teams.
Ajaka, while speaking on the telephone, told our reporter that the health crisis had spread to Irele Local Government Area, where eight people had reportedly died.
He said, ‘As we are now, Irele is where we have a serious issue. Our people were there and many people have died. About eight people have been confirmed as of last night.
‘So all the people that have been affected altogether now is about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died.’
Ajaka reiterated that the crisis was linked to the consumption of ethanol by the victims, adding that the state government had intensified efforts to prevent its spread to other parts of the state.
He said medical and health officials, alongside other stakeholders, had been deployed to communities whenever reports of suspected cases were received.
‘We are always fast about it. Wherever and whenever we hear the report of the issue, our teams are already in Irele as I’m talking to you now,’ the commissioner said.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as ‘Meko,’ over the production of a herbal liquid substance suspected to have caused the deaths.
The command also arrested 14 other persons for allegedly violating the ban imposed on the sale of herbal products in the affected areas.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abayomi Jimoh, the police said investigation had commenced into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The command added that the bodies of the deceased were undergoing necessary medical and forensic procedures.
‘The Ondo State Police Command has contained the situation arising from reported cases of sudden and unnatural deaths involving youths in Araromi-Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, following sustained security, medical and investigative interventions,’ the statement said.
It added that the arrest of Babatunde followed allegations that he was involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol.
The police said the suspect was assisting investigators in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the deaths.