The Ondo State Government has confirmed the deaths of 24 people in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state following the consumption of a suspected herbal substance.
Eight people reportedly died in Araromi Obu, while 16 others died in Odigbo town after consuming the substance on Saturday.
The incident has thrown the two communities into mourning, with several other residents who reportedly consumed the substance currently receiving treatment in hospitals.
A source in the area said the affected persons consumed the herbal substance at different locations before some of them became unconscious and later died.
The source said, “They (the deceased) drank the herbal substance and started dying, eight people died in Araromi Obu while 16 lost their lives in Odigbo town but we are yet to confirm if it is what they drank that killed them but we are sure that the people died after drinking the herbal drinks.
“Some of the people died in their sleep while some died when they got home and many are still in the hospital as I am talking to you.”
Confirming the deaths, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Adegoroye, said the deceased had consumed the substance before their deaths, adding that a medical team from the state Ministry of Health was expected to conduct tests and autopsies to determine the actual cause.
Adegoroye said, “We can confirm the death of 24 people, eight in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town and many are still on admission at hospitals. But we are yet to ascertain the cause of the death and we are still waiting for the team from the state Ministry of Health to carry out the test on the deceased. That is why we can’t specifically say the real cause.”
The council chairman also announced a ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area as a precautionary measure.
He added that a preliminary verbal autopsy conducted by the local government health team indicated a possible link between the deaths and consumption of the substances.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident, saying investigations were ongoing to establish the actual cause of the deaths.
Ajaka said medical and health officials would conduct further assessments in the affected communities, but did not disclose the specific substance suspected to have been involved.
He said, “The government is taking the matter seriously and we will provide more details after the ongoing investigation has established the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Meanwhile, some youths in Odigbo staged a mini protest and proceeded to the palace of the traditional ruler, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, to demand explanations and urgent measures to prevent further deaths.
Addressing the youths, the monarch appealed for calm and assured them that efforts would be made to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and find a lasting solution to the situation.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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