The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” over his alleged involvement in the production of a herbal drink suspected to have caused multiple deaths in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area.
The deaths were reported in Araromi-Obu and neighbouring communities, where at least 29 people have reportedly died after consuming the herbal products, while about 60 others were admitted to hospitals for medical attention.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Monday, saying the suspect was believed to have been involved in producing substances suspected to contain methanol.
According to the police, substances suspected to be methanol were recovered from the suspect and had been submitted for forensic analysis to determine their composition and establish whether they were connected to the deaths.
Jimoh said, “The Ondo State Police Command has contained the situation arising from reported cases of sudden and unnatural deaths involving youths in Araromi-Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, following sustained security, medical and investigative interventions.”
He added that the suspect was “currently assisting the police with investigations.”
The command also said investigations had commenced into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, while the bodies of the victims were undergoing post-mortem and other necessary medical and forensic examinations.
The police spokesman said the post-mortem examinations were expected to provide additional evidence on the actual cause of the deaths.
Meanwhile, health officials have intensified medical intervention in the affected communities, with several residents taken to the Odigbo Local Government medical facility for screening, testing and treatment.
The police also arrested 14 other individuals for allegedly selling or consuming herbal drinks in breach of an existing ban imposed by the local government authorities.
The command said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Akure for further investigation.
A team of detectives was also deployed to Araromi-Obu on September 12 to gather additional evidence and advance the investigation.
The police urged residents to comply with the ban on the sale and consumption of the suspected herbal products while investigations into the deaths continue.
