24 Dead, others hospitalised after consuming suspected herbal drink in Ondo

At least 24 people have died in two communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State after consuming a herbal liquid substance, with authorities launching investigations to establish the actual cause of the deaths.

The deaths were recorded in Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, where eight people reportedly died in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo.

The incident, which reportedly occurred on Saturday, has thrown the affected communities into mourning, with several other people who consumed the substance said to be receiving treatment in hospitals.

The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the death toll but stressed that the authorities had yet to establish whether the herbal substance was responsible for the fatalities.

“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,” Adegoroye said.

“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 said the victims had consumed the substance before the deaths occurred, adding that medical experts were expected to conduct further examinations, including autopsies, to determine what caused the fatalities.

According to a source in the affected area, some of those who consumed the substance later became unconscious, while others died after returning home or during sleep.

The source said eight people died in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo, while several others remained in hospitals.

However, the source also acknowledged that it had not been conclusively established that the substance caused the deaths.

As a precautionary measure, the local government chairman said the council had imposed restrictions on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the affected area.

Adegoroye said a preliminary verbal autopsy conducted by the local government health team indicated a possible connection between the deaths and consumption of the substances, but further medical investigation was required.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident and said investigations were ongoing.

Ajaka said medical and health officials would carry out further assessments in the affected communities but did not identify a particular substance as the cause of the deaths.

“The government is taking the matter seriously and we will provide more details after the ongoing investigation has established the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he said.

Another report said the deaths were also reported in Orita New Town, although the Odigbo council chairman’s confirmed breakdown cited eight deaths in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town. The report said several other residents were receiving treatment and that medical examinations and laboratory analyses were expected to establish the precise cause.

The monarch, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed for calm and assured the youths that efforts would be made to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and find a lasting solution.

Dear Vows