Ondo Poisonous Herbal Drink Death Toll Rises to 49, 170 Affected
The death toll from the consumption of a suspected poisonous herbal drink in Ondo State has risen to 49, while about 170 persons have been affected.
The incident, first reported in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, has now spread to Irele Local Government Area, where eight deaths have been recorded.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Mr. Taiwo Adegoroye, had earlier disclosed that 24 persons died – eight in Araromi-Obu and 16 in Odigbo. The figure later rose to 27 before hitting 49 as of Wednesday.
Adegoroye noted that the situation has subsided in the affected communities following intervention by the state and local government medical teams.
Confirming the development, the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, said the number of affected persons has increased to about 170, covering both fatalities and hospital admissions.
Ajaka said Irele is currently the epicentre of the crisis.
“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 recorded to have died as of last night. So, all the people that have been affected altogether now are about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died,” he said.
The Commissioner attributed the deaths to ethanol consumption and said the state government has intensified response to prevent further spread to other council areas.
He added that medical and health officials have been deployed to the affected communities.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command said it has arrested a man identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko”, over the production of the suspected herbal concoction.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, in a statement, said 14 other persons were also arrested for allegedly violating the ban on sale of herbal products imposed by the local government.
According to the police, Babatunde is suspected to be involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol and is currently assisting with investigation.
The Command said bodies of the deceased are undergoing medical and forensic procedures, adding that investigation is ongoing and the situation has been contained following sustained security and medical interventions(Punch)
