NEWS
24 Die After Consuming Herbal Substance in Ondo Communities, Government Begins Investigation
The Ondo State Government has confirmed the deaths of 24 residents of Odigbo Local Government Area following the consumption of a herbal liquid substance, as health authorities intensify investigations to determine what caused the fatalities.
The deaths, recorded in Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, have plunged the affected communities into mourning and triggered concern among residents, particularly as several other people who reportedly consumed the substance are still receiving treatment in hospitals.
The incident was said to have occurred on Saturday, when residents consumed the herbal substance at different locations.
According to a source in the area, some of those who took the substance later became unconscious, while others reportedly died after returning home or while asleep.
The source said, “They (the deceased) drank the herbal substance and started dying. Eight people died in Araromi Obu while 16 others lost their lives in Odigbo town, but we are yet to confirm if it was what they drank that killed them.
“But we are sure that the people died after drinking the herbal drinks.
“Some of the people died in their sleep while some died when they got home, and many are still in the hospital as I am talking to you.”
Confirming the number of fatalities, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Mr Taiwo Adegoroye, said the deceased had consumed the substance before their deaths, but stressed that authorities had yet to establish a definitive medical link between the consumption and the fatalities.
He explained that a medical team from the state Ministry of Health was expected to conduct further examinations, including autopsies, to determine the actual cause of death.
“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 have yet to ascertain the cause of the deaths, 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 said.
As an immediate precautionary measure, the council chairman disclosed that he had banned the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks within the area pending further clarification on the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He added that a preliminary verbal autopsy conducted by the local government health team had indicated a possible connection between the deaths and consumption of the substances, although laboratory and medical examinations would be required to establish the actual cause conclusively.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident and said government health authorities had commenced investigations.
Ajaka did not immediately identify the specific substance suspected to be responsible for the deaths, but said medical and health officials would conduct further assessments in the affected communities as authorities worked to establish what happened.
“The government is taking the matter seriously, and we will provide more details after the ongoing investigation has established the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
The development has heightened anxiety in the two communities, with residents seeking answers and urgent intervention to prevent additional deaths.
Amid the growing concerns, some youths staged a mini protest and proceeded to the palace of the Odigbo traditional ruler, demanding explanations over the incident and immediate measures to protect residents from further loss of life.
Addressing the youths, the monarch, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed for calm and assured them that efforts would be made to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The monarch’s appeal came as authorities continued their investigation, with residents awaiting the outcome of medical examinations that are expected to shed more light on whether the herbal substance, locally brewed alcoholic drinks, or another underlying factor was responsible for the deaths.
For now, health officials have urged caution as investigations continue, while those still receiving medical attention remain under observation.