At least 24 people, predominantly youths, have reportedly died in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State following suspected poisoning linked to the consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks and sachet concoctions.
The deaths, recorded over the weekend in Odigbo and Araromi-Obu communities, have triggered concern among residents and prompted the local government authorities to suspend the sale and consumption of locally produced alcoholic beverages in the affected areas.
Several other persons who reportedly consumed the suspected substances have been hospitalised and are currently receiving treatment.
Medical teams have also been deployed to the affected communities as authorities intensify efforts to determine what caused the deaths.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the incident, saying investigations were ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
Ajaka said the government was treating the development as a serious public health matter, adding that health officials were conducting further assessments in the affected communities.
He did not identify any particular substance as responsible for the deaths, noting that the ongoing investigation and medical examinations would provide more clarity.
However, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Ayodele Adeji, said preliminary findings had raised concerns about possible methanol contamination.
Adeji cautioned that the suspected link had not yet been conclusively established, as laboratory analysis of samples collected from the affected communities was still being conducted.
He explained that the results of the tests would be critical in determining whether the locally brewed alcoholic drinks were responsible for the reported deaths.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Adegoroye, said the council’s health team had carried out preliminary investigations which indicated a possible connection between consumption of the substances and the deaths.
The local government has consequently moved to restrict the sale and consumption of locally produced alcoholic beverages as authorities await the outcome of laboratory tests.
Residents have also been advised to exercise caution and avoid consuming the suspected drinks pending the conclusion of the investigation and release of official findings.
