Ondo Govt Probes Death of 24 Persons From Suspected Poisoning

The Ondo State Government has launched an investigation into the deaths of 24 people in Odigbo Local Government Area following a suspected poisoning incident involving a herbal liquid substance.

The fatalities were recorded in Odigbo town and Araromi-Obu, while several other residents who reportedly consumed the substance are receiving treatment in various hospitals.

Eight people reportedly died in Araromi-Obu, while 16 others died in Odigbo town. The deaths have triggered concern among residents and prompted authorities to move quickly to establish the cause.

The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the death toll but stressed that the actual cause had not yet been established.

He said medical officials were expected to conduct further examinations, including autopsies, to determine whether the substance consumed was responsible for the deaths.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed that investigations were ongoing. He said the government was taking the incident seriously and would provide further information when the investigation establishes the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Preliminary assessments by health officials indicated a possible connection between the deaths and the consumption of locally produced alcoholic and herbal concoctions. However, authorities stressed that the suspected link had not been conclusively established.

Samples collected from the affected communities are undergoing laboratory and toxicological analyses to determine the substance involved and establish its potential role in the deaths.

Residents have meanwhile been urged to exercise caution and avoid consuming locally brewed alcoholic drinks, herbal mixtures and other unverified substances until the investigation is concluded.

The incident has caused anxiety in the affected communities, with youths reportedly seeking urgent intervention and explanations from local authorities and traditional leaders.

The government is expected to intensify monitoring of locally produced alcoholic and herbal substances in the affected areas as health officials work to determine what caused the deaths.

Authorities have appealed for calm while investigations continue, assuring residents that the circumstances surrounding the fatalities will be established through medical and laboratory examinations.