Herbal drink: Police launch investigation into deaths in Ondo

The Ondo State Government on Wednesday confirmed the death of some people in Odigbo Local Government Area of ​​the state following consumption of a herbal liquid substance.

No fewer than 24 residents of two communities in the council area, Araromi Obu and Odigbo towns, have reportedly lost their lives after consuming the substance.

The accident, which occurred on Saturday, has thrown the affected communities into mourning.

A source in the area said the deceased consumed the substance at different places but later lost consciousness, resulting in their deaths, while some others who consumed the substance were rushed to hospital.

The source said: “They (the deceased) drank the herbal substance and started dying, eight people died in Araromi Obu while 16 lost their lives in Odigbo town but we are yet to confirm whether it was what they drank that killed them but we are sure that the people died after drinking the herbal drinks.

“Some people died in their sleep, while others died when they returned home and many are still in hospital as I speak to you.”

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview, Local Government Council Chairman, Taiwo Adegoroye, said the deceased consumed the substance before the incident, adding that they are waiting for a medical team to carry out an autopsy to determine the true cause of death.

Adegoroye said: “We can confirm the death of 24 people, eight in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town and many are still admitted to hospitals.

But we are yet to ascertain the cause of death and are still waiting for the state health ministry team to carry out tests on the deceased. This is why we cannot accurately say the real cause.”

The municipality head also said he had banned the sale and consumption of locally produced alcoholic beverages in the area as a precautionary measure.

According to him, the preliminary verbal autopsy conducted by the local government health team indicated a possible link between the reported deaths and the consumption of the substances.

Likewise, state health commissioner Dr Banji Ajaka also confirmed the incident in an interview, saying investigations are underway to establish the actual cause of death.

Ajaka did not immediately reveal the specific substance suspected of causing the death, but said medical and health officials would conduct further assessments in the affected communities.

“The government is taking this matter seriously and we will provide more details after the ongoing investigation establishes the circumstances of the incident,” he said.

Meanwhile, some youths in the town staged a mini protest and went to the palace of traditional ruler Odigbo to demand explanations and urgent measures to prevent further loss of lives.

Addressing the youth, the city’s monarch, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed for calm and assured that efforts will be made to ascertain the circumstances of the deaths and find a lasting solution to the situation.

…Police survey

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has begun investigations into the reported deaths, with preliminary concerns that the incidents may be linked to possible poisoning.

The command, in collaboration with the Ondo State Government and relevant health authorities, said it had launched a thorough investigation to determine the true cause of the deaths.

In a statement released on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command said police personnel, including officers from the Police Medical Services, were working with officials of the Ministry of Health and Odigbo Local Government health authorities to gather information and evidence.

According to the statement, medical and toxicological tests are also being carried out to establish whether any substance is responsible for the death.

The police, however, warned the public against spreading unverified information or attributing the deaths to a particular substance while investigations and laboratory analyzes were underway.

“The actual number of casualties and the precise cause of deaths will be established through the ongoing investigation,” the command said.

Residents of the affected communities were urged to remain calm and cooperate with authorities by providing information that could help the investigation.

The order also advised members of the public to refrain from consuming unregulated or suspect alcoholic and herbal preparations pending the outcome of the investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, assured residents that the police would clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths and take appropriate action against anyone found guilty.

The command said it will continue to work with the state government and other relevant agencies and will provide further updates as credible findings emerge.