The Ondo State Government has banned the sale and distribution of unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances across the state following the deaths of 30 people after consuming a local herbal alcoholic mixture known as “Monkey Tail”.

The incident occurred in the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, where 50 other people were reportedly hospitalised after consuming the substance.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, announced the government’s decision in a statement on Sunday.

He said the directive applied to alcoholic drinks and other substances sold in sachets, bottles or other forms whose sources, contents or regulatory status could not be verified.

Ajanaku said the state Ministry of Health had commenced investigations into the substance suspected to have caused the deaths.

He added that scientific officers had been deployed to the affected communities to identify the substance responsible for the incident.

The commissioner said the government, under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was taking measures to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and prevent further casualties.

Residents were warned against purchasing or consuming unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances, particularly products sold without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

The government also directed sellers and distributors to immediately stop purchasing, selling or distributing products whose sources, contents or regulatory status could not be verified.

It warned that anyone found violating the directive would face the full force of the law.

Security agencies were directed to commence a statewide crackdown on the distribution and sale of illegal and unapproved products.

The government urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious products, sellers and distribution activities to the relevant authorities.