By Ayodele Oni
Residents of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have been gripped by fear and anxiety following the reported deaths of at least 24 persons within three days in suspected cases of poisoning.
The deaths reportedly started on Sunday in parts of Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Orita New Town. Several other residents were also reportedly hospitalised after falling ill.
The circumstances surrounding the fatalities remained unclear, heightening tension in the affected communities and prompting residents to call for urgent intervention by the government and health authorities.
Some of the victims were reportedly found dead in their homes, while others were said to have died in their sleep.
Although initial reports put the death toll at 16, subsequent reports indicated that the figure has risen to 24, prompting authorities to intensify investigations into the cause of the unusual fatalities.
Residents, particularly youths, reportedly took to the streets and proceeded to the palace of the Odigbo traditional ruler, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, where they expressed concern and demanded explanations over the deaths.
The traditional ruler appealed for calm, assuring the protesters that the relevant authorities would investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and work towards resolving the situation.
The incident has attracted the attention of the Ondo State Ministry of Health and the Odigbo Local Government health authorities, which have commenced preliminary investigations.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, confirmed the incident, stating that the government was investigating the reported deaths to determine their actual cause.
Ajaka said it would be premature to attribute the deaths conclusively to any particular substance until the ongoing medical investigations and laboratory analyses had been completed.
He assured residents that the government was treating the matter seriously and would provide further information once the investigation produced conclusive findings.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ayodele Adiji who spoke at the scene, revealed that preliminary findings suggested a possible connection between some of the fatalities and the consumption of locally produced alcoholic and herbal drinks.
He specifically mentioned a locally brewed alcoholic beverage popularly known as “Monkey Tail,” as well as other locally prepared herbal and ethanol-based drinks.
Adiji, however, emphasised that the preliminary findings did not constitute a definitive conclusion, noting that samples had been collected for laboratory analysis.
He said toxicological and other medical investigations were ongoing to determine whether consumption of the suspected drinks was directly responsible for the deaths.
The Permanent Secretary stated that the authorities would rely on scientific evidence before reaching a final determination on the cause of the fatalities.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, has imposed a one-month ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the council area.
Adegoroye said the measure was precautionary and intended to protect residents while health authorities continued their investigations.
According to him, a preliminary verbal autopsy conducted by the council’s health team indicated a possible link between the reported deaths and the consumption of certain locally produced substances.
He, however, noted that the preliminary assessment was inconclusive, stressing that further toxicological investigations were required to establish the exact cause of the deaths.
The council chairman warned that anyone found selling, distributing or consuming the banned locally produced alcoholic drinks during the restriction period could be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
On its part, the State Police Command, in a statement, informed that “it has taken note of reports concerning the deaths of some residents in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area, including Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Orita New Town, under circumstances suspected to be connected with possible poisoning.
“The Command, in collaboration with the Ondo State Government and relevant health authorities, has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incidents with a view to determining the actual cause of the reported deaths.
“Police personnel including Police Medical Services are working closely with officials of the Ondo State Ministry of Health and the Odigbo Local Government health authorities in the collection of relevant information and evidence, while medical and toxicological examinations are being conducted to ascertain the substance, if any, responsible for the fatalities.
“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.
“The actual number of casualties and the precise cause of the deaths will be established through the ongoing investigation.
“The Command further advises residents of the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities by providing useful information that may assist the 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.
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