𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗢𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝗢𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗯𝗼

𝐁𝐘 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐀 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄,

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚.

At least 24 people, mostly youths, have reportedly died in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State following suspected poisoning linked to the consumption of locally produced herbal and alcoholic drinks.

The deaths were reported in Odigbo town and Araromi-Obu, with available reports putting the number of fatalities at 16 in Odigbo and eight in Araromi-Obu. Several other residents who reportedly consumed the substances are said to be receiving medical attention.

The incident, which reportedly occurred over the weekend, has thrown the affected communities into mourning and heightened concerns over the safety of unregulated alcoholic and herbal preparations.

Residents said some of the victims reportedly became unconscious after consuming the substances, while others were said to have died at home or during sleep.

However, authorities have stressed that the precise cause of the deaths has not yet been scientifically established.

Reports have linked the incident to locally produced herbal concoctions and alcoholic drinks, including a locally distilled beverage popularly known as “Monkey Tail.” The state government, however, has yet to conclusively identify the particular substance responsible for the fatalities, pending the outcome of medical and laboratory investigations.

Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, reportedly confirmed the deaths and disclosed that further medical examinations, including autopsies, would be necessary to establish the actual cause.

A preliminary verbal autopsy reportedly suggested a possible relationship between the deaths and substances consumed by some of the victims.

As a precautionary measure, the local government reportedly imposed a one-month ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks within the affected area.

The development has also generated tension among residents, with some youths reportedly protesting at the palace of the traditional ruler, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, where they demanded urgent intervention and clarification over the deaths.

The monarch was said to have appealed for calm as relevant authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Ondo State Police Command has also reportedly warned residents to avoid consuming suspicious or unregulated alcoholic and herbal products while investigations continue.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, said the state government was taking the development seriously, with further information expected as investigations and laboratory examinations progress.

The incident has renewed concerns over the regulation and consumption of locally produced alcoholic and herbal beverages, particularly among young people.

NigerDelta Voice reports that families and residents of the affected Odigbo communities are awaiting the outcome of laboratory tests and other investigations to determine the substance, if any, responsible for the deaths.