At least 24 people have died in two communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State following the consumption of a herbal liquid substance, with authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The victims were from Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, where eight deaths were recorded in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 5, leaving residents of the affected communities in mourning. Several other people who reportedly consumed the substance are receiving treatment in hospitals.
According to residents, some of those who consumed the substance later became unconscious before they died. However, authorities have cautioned against concluding that the substance was responsible for the deaths until medical examinations establish the actual cause.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the death toll and said medical officials were expected to conduct autopsies and other assessments.
Adegoroye said the local government had yet to establish the precise cause of the deaths and was awaiting findings from the state Ministry of Health.
As a precautionary measure, the chairman announced a ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the affected area.
He added that a preliminary verbal assessment by the local government health team had indicated a possible connection between the deaths and consumption of the substances, but stressed that further medical investigation was necessary.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident and said the state government had commenced investigations.
Ajaka said health officials would carry out further assessments in the affected communities to determine what caused the deaths.
He assured residents that the government was treating the incident seriously and would provide additional information once the ongoing investigation establishes the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
The incident has also triggered concern among residents, with some youths reportedly visiting the palace of the Odigbo traditional ruler to demand answers and urgent action.
The traditional ruler, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed for calm and assured the residents that efforts were being made to determine what happened and prevent further loss of life.
