At least 24 people have been confirmed dead in two communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State after allegedly consuming a herbal liquid substance on Saturday, September 5.
The deaths occurred in Odigbo town and Araromi-Obu. Chairman of Odigbo LGA, Taiwo Adegoroye, who confirmed the figure, said 16 people died in Odigbo town while 8 died in Araromi-Obu. “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,” he said. Several other residents who took the substance are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals.
Adegoroye said the actual cause of death was yet to be established and the state was awaiting test results from the Ministry of Health. He noted that a preliminary verbal autopsy suggested a possible link to the substance consumed. As a precaution, the local government has banned the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the affected area pending the outcome of investigations.
The state Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident and said the government had commenced investigations to determine what led to the deaths, though he did not name the specific substance suspected. Police authorities said they are working with health officials to establish the facts.
Police spokesperson in Ondo, Abayomi Jimoh, said in a statement that the Command had launched a comprehensive investigation into the deaths “suspected to be connected with possible poisoning.” He added that police medical officers are working with the state Ministry of Health and Odigbo LGA health authorities to collect evidence. “At this stage, the Command wishes to caution members of the public against spreading unverified information or attributing the deaths to any particular substance, as the investigation and laboratory analyses are still ongoing,” Jimoh said.
The police urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with investigators. They also advised the public to refrain from consuming unregulated or suspicious alcoholic and herbal preparations pending the conclusion of the investigation. Authorities said the actual number of casualties and precise cause of death will be established through ongoing medical and forensic analysis.
