By Sabiu Abdullahi
At least 24 residents of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have died after consuming a herbal liquid substance, according to the state government.
The deaths occurred in Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, where eight people reportedly died in Araromi Obu and 16 others in Odigbo town.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Saturday, has left the affected communities in mourning, while several other people who consumed the substance are receiving treatment in hospitals.
A resident familiar with the incident said some of those who consumed the substance later became unconscious before they died.
The source said, “They (the deceased) drank the herbal substance and started dying. Eight people died in Araromi Obu while 16 others lost their lives in Odigbo town, but we have yet to confirm if it was what they drank that killed them. But we are sure that the people died after drinking the herbal drinks.
“Some of the people died in their sleep while some died when they got home, and many are still in the hospital as I am talking to you.”
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the deaths but said the actual cause had not been established.
According to him, health officials were expected to conduct further tests, including an autopsy, to determine what caused the deaths.
Adegoroye said, “We can confirm the death of 24 people, eight in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town, and many are still on admission at hospitals. But we have yet to ascertain the cause of the deaths, and we are still waiting for the team from the state Ministry of Health to carry out the test on the deceased. That is why we can’t specifically say the real cause.”
As a precaution, the council chairman announced a ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area.
He added that a preliminary verbal autopsy carried out by the local government health team suggested a possible connection between the deaths and the consumption of the substances. However, authorities said further medical investigation was required to establish the cause conclusively.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the deaths and said investigations were ongoing.
Ajaka did not identify the substance suspected to be responsible for the deaths but said health officials would carry out further assessments in the affected communities.
“The government is taking the matter seriously, and we will provide more details after the ongoing investigation has established the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Meanwhile, some youths in Odigbo reportedly marched to the palace of the town’s traditional ruler to demand explanations and urgent action over the deaths.
The monarch, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed to the youths to remain calm. He assured them that efforts would be made to establish what caused the deaths and address the situation.
Authorities are yet to establish the exact cause of the deaths as medical investigations continue.