… 170 affected across three LGAs – Health Commissioner

… Police arrest suspected producer of deadly substance

The death toll from the consumption of suspected toxic alcohol drinks in Ondo State has risen to 49, with no fewer than 170 people affected across three local government areas.

The health crisis had in the past few days ravaged two communities of Araromi Obu and Odigbo in the Odigbo Local Council Area of the state.

The Chairman of Odigbo Local Council, Taiwo Adegoroye, had earlier disclosed that eight lives were lost in Araromi Obu while 16 people died in Odigbo, bringing the initial toll to 24.

Adegoroye, however, stated that the situation had been brought under control due to what he described as proactive intervention of both state and local government medical teams.

The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Banji Ajaka, confirmed the increased casualty figure and revealed that the crisis had spread to Irele Local Council Area, where eight people were reported to have died from the same cause.

“As we are now, Irele is where we have a serious issue now. Our people were there, and many people have died. About eight people have been recorded to have died as of yesterday’s night.

“So all the people that have been affected altogether now are about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died,” Ajaka said.

Ajaka reiterated that the main cause of the health crisis was the consumption of ethanol by the victims.

He noted that the state government was being proactive to prevent further spread to other local governments, with medical and health officers and other stakeholders immediately deployed to any reports that emerged.

“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,” he added.

The Ondo State Police Command was reported to have arrested a man, Oloruntoba Babatunde, who allegedly produced the liquid substance that caused the health crisis in the two local government areas.

In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the state police command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the suspect was apprehended while 14 others were arrested for violating the ban order placed on the sale of herbal products by the local government.

The command also said it had commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, while the bodies of the deceased were undergoing the 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 the Araromi-Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, following sustained security, medical, and investigative interventions.

“The development follows the arrest of one Oloruntoba Babatunde, a.k.a ‘Meko,’ who is suspected to be involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol and is currently assisting the police with investigations,” the statement partly read.