The death toll linked to the consumption of a suspected poisonous herbal drink in Ondo State has risen to 49, with about 170 people reportedly affected.
The health crisis, which initially affected residents of Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, has now spread to Irele Local Government Area, where eight deaths have been recorded.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the development, saying the number of affected persons included both those admitted to hospitals and those who had died.
He said, “About eight people have been recorded to have died as of last night. So, all the people that have been affected altogether now are about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died.”
Ajaka said the state government had intensified medical interventions in the affected communities to contain the crisis and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the state.
According to him, health officials were already in Irele following reports of new cases.
He said, “Wherever and whenever we hear reports of the issue, our teams are already in Irele as I’m talking to you now.”
The commissioner attributed the crisis to the consumption of ethanol by some victims, although the police said one of the suspects arrested in connection with the production of the herbal substance was suspected of producing substances containing methanol.
The Ondo State Police Command said it had arrested a man identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” over his alleged involvement in the production of the herbal liquid.
Fourteen other people were also arrested for allegedly violating a ban imposed by the local government on the sale of herbal products.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command had commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
According to the police, Babatunde was suspected of producing substances containing methanol and was assisting investigators.
The command said the bodies of the deceased were undergoing medical and forensic examinations as investigations continued.
Meanwhile, authorities said the situation in the initially affected communities had subsided following interventions by medical teams from the state and local governments, alongside security agencies.
The police said further updates would be provided as investigations into the incident progress.
