Tension has gripped Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State following the deaths of 24 people, mostly youths, over the weekend in what is suspected to be a case of poisoning linked to the consumption of sachet alcoholic concoctions and locally brewed alcoholic drinks.
The deaths were recorded in Odigbo and Araromi-Obu communities, prompting the local government to impose an immediate ban on the sale and consumption of locally produced alcoholic beverages.
Several other victims are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals, as medical personnel work to stabilise those affected.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the incident and said investigations were ongoing to determine the actual cause of the deaths.
Ajaka, however, declined to identify the specific substance suspected to have caused the fatalities, saying health officials were conducting further assessments in the affected communities.
He said the state government was taking the development seriously and would provide more information once investigations established the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Ayodele Adeji, said preliminary findings pointed to possible methanol contamination.
He, however, stressed that laboratory analysis of samples collected by the medical team was still ongoing, adding that further investigations were necessary to establish whether the consumption of the locally brewed drinks was directly responsible for the deaths.
Also, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Adegoroye, said preliminary investigations by the local government health team indicated a possible link between the reported deaths and consumption of the suspected substances.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid locally produced alcoholic beverages and other unregulated concoctions pending the outcome of the investigation.
