Ondo Herbal Drink Crisis: Death Toll Hits 49, 170 Affected

The death toll linked to the consumption of a suspected poisonous herbal drink in Ondo State has risen to 49, while about 170 people have been affected, authorities have confirmed.

The health crisis, which was initially 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 Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the latest figures, saying the 170 affected persons comprised those who had been admitted for treatment and those who died.

“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,” Ajaka said.

The commissioner said the state government had intensified its response, with medical and health officials deployed to the affected communities to prevent the crisis from spreading to other parts of the state.

He attributed the deaths to the consumption of alcohol by the victims, while investigations continue to determine the exact substance responsible for the fatalities.

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The situation in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo was said to have subsided following interventions by state and local government medical teams.

The crisis initially claimed 24 lives, with eight deaths recorded in Araromi-Obu and 16 in Odigbo. The figure later rose to 27 before climbing to 49.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” over his alleged involvement in the production of a herbal liquid substance suspected to be linked to the deaths.

The police also arrested 14 other people for allegedly violating a ban on the sale of herbal products imposed in the affected area.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said Babatunde was suspected of producing substances that may contain methanol and was assisting investigators.

The command said substances suspected to contain methanol had been recovered and subjected to forensic examination to establish their composition and determine whether they were linked to the reported deaths.

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Police said the situation had been contained following sustained security, medical and investigative interventions, while the bodies of the deceased were undergoing necessary medical and forensic procedures.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths are ongoing.