• Victims died within 24 hours, some in two, state govt clarifies
• Says majority of casualties are males aged 16 to 55

The World Health Organisation (WHO), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have joined the ongoing investigation into the sudden illnesses and deaths in parts of Odigbo Local Council of Ondo State.

However, with the death toll from the suspected toxic alcohol outbreak at 29 out of 60 suspected cases, a 48.3 per cent fatality rate has been revealed, with the majority of the victims disclosed to be males aged 16 to 55.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Banji Awolowo Ajaka, stated this while briefing newsmen on the update on the crisis that has gripped communities in Odigbo and Araromi Obu.

According to the commissioner, three persons are currently on admission, while the remaining 27 are under observation.

Ajaka said that the cases were predominantly identified in New Town, Odole, Okele, and Orita in Odigbo and subsequently in Araromi Obu, while another suspected case has been reported in the Oniparaga community, which he said had also been placed under active surveillance.

He said: “The Ministry of Health became aware of the initial cluster following reports of sudden deaths in New Town on September 3, 2026, and further investigation established additional deaths in the surrounding settlements over subsequent days.

“A second cluster was identified in Araromi Obu, where eight persons reportedly died following consumption of an alcoholic substance at a naming ceremony.”

“The Ondo State Government has activated a coordinated emergency response with the Ministry of Health leading the team, comprising the affected local council authorities, traditional institutions, and relevant security and regulatory agencies, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, NAFDAC, NDLEA, and the WHO.”

The commissioner, however, emphasised that the state is yet to have laboratory evidence of the cause of deaths, stating that all cases remain classified as suspected cases until the specific toxic agent responsible is identified.

Ajaka also said that with the rapid and deadly nature of the illness, some people died within two hours, emphasising that at least most of them died within 24 hours.