The death toll from the ingestion of a suspected deadly herbal drink in Ondo State has increased to 49 while approximately 170 persons have been reported to be afflicted by the health crisis.
The crisis which first started in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in the Odigbo Local Government Area has now moved to Irele Local Government Area where eight deaths have been reported.
The PUNCH adds that prior investigations had confirmed the death of no fewer than 24 inhabitants of Araromi-Obu and Odigbo after they consumed the drug.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Mr Taiwo Adegoroye, said eight persons perished in Araromi-Obu while 16 others died in Odigbo.
But then the death toll went up to 27, and as of yesterday, 49.
“The situation has been calm in the communities after the intervention of the state and local government medical teams,” Adegoroye stated.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, told our correspondent on the telephone that the number of affected persons had increased and the health crisis had spread to the Irele Local Government Area.
By Tuesday nite, Ajaka added, eight individuals were reported deceased in Irele.
He remarked, “As we are today, Irele is where we have a serious problem. Our people was there and many people died. Last nite about eight people have been recorded to have perished.
“So, the total people that have been affected now are around 170, those who have been admitted and those who have died.”
The commissioner said the health problem was linked to the intake of ethanol by the victims. He said the state government has stepped its response to avoid the scenario from spreading to other local government districts.
Once complaints were received, medical and health officials and other stakeholders were mobilised to the impacted communities, he added.
We are always quick with it. “We hear of the issue, wherever and whenever we hear of the issue, our teams are in Irele, I’m talking to you now,” Ajaka said.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has detained a man identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as “Meko”, over the fabrication of a herbal liquid substance alleged to be connected to the health issue.
The Command also stated 14 other persons were arrested for allegedly breaching a prohibition on the sale of herbal goods set by the local government.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, announced this in a statement, adding that the command has initiated an investigation into the circumstances behind the fatalities.
The statement said the police had brought the situation under control following ongoing security, medical and investigative operations.
“The Ondo State Police Command has contained the situation arising from reported cases of sudden and unnatural deaths involving youths in Araromi-Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state following sustained security, medical and investigative interventions,” the statement said.
The Command said Babatunde was a suspect in the manufacturing of drugs suspected to contain methanol and was supporting the police in their investigations.
“The development came after the arrest of one Oloruntoba Babatunde, a.k.a. ‘Meko’, who is suspected to be involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol and is currently assisting the police with investigations,” the statement stated.
Police said investigations were continuing and the corpses of the dead were undergoing appropriate medical and forensic processes.
The Command stated it would provide future updates as the inquiry continues.
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