Tragedy struck in two Ondo State communities, as no fewer than 24 people have been confirmed dead in Odigbo LGA after the consumption of herbal liquid substance.
It was gathered that some of the victims allegedly lost consciousness before giving up the ghost in separate locations.
Eyewitnesses said the incident reportedly happened on Saturday, September 5, in Odigbo town and Araromi-Obu.
Many other residents who drank the herbal substance are said to be receiving treatment at different hospitals.
Chairman of Odigbo LGA, Taiwo Adegoroye, who confirmed the death count stated that the victims had consumed the substance before the incident but added that the real cause of death was yet to be determined.
“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.
“But we are yet to ascertain the cause of the death, and we are still waiting for the team from the state ministry of health to carry out the test on the deceased. That is why we can’t specifically say the real cause.”
Adegoroye stated that the local government had banned the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the affected area pending investigations.
He said initial verbal autopsy suggested a possible link between the deaths and consumption of the substances, although further medical examinations were required to establish the facts.
The state commissioner for health, Banji Ajaka,who also confirmed the tragedy, stated that the government had commenced investigations to determine what led to the deaths.
Spokesperson of the Police in Ondo,
Abayomi Jimoh, stated in a statement that the command had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the deaths “suspected to be connected with possible poisoning.”
“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,” he said.
“The actual number of casualties and the precise cause of the deaths will be established through the ongoing investigation.
“Members of the public are also urged to refrain from consuming unregulated or suspicious alcoholic and herbal preparations pending the outcome of the investigation,” he added.
