24 people die after drinking herbal liquid in Ondo

The Ondo State Government confirmed on Wednesday that 24 people from Odigbo Local Government Area died after drinking a herbal liquid.

Reports indicate that at least 24 residents from two communities, Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, lost their lives after consuming the substance.

This tragic event happened on Saturday and has left the communities in mourning.

A local source who wished to remain anonymous told our reporter that the victims drank the herbal liquid at different places on Saturday. They later became unconscious, which led to their deaths. Some others who drank the same substance were taken to hospitals.

The source said, "They drank the herbal substance and started dying. Eight people died in Araromi Obu while 16 others lost their lives in Odigbo town. We have not confirmed if it was what they drank that killed them. But we know that the people died after drinking the herbal drinks.

"Some of the people died in their sleep while some died when they got home. Many are still in the hospital as I am talking to you."

Mr Taiwo Adegoroye, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, confirmed this incident in a phone interview. He said the deceased consumed the substance before the incident and that they are waiting for a medical team to perform an autopsy to find out the real cause of death.

Adegoroye stated, "We can confirm the death of 24 people, eight in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town. Many are still in hospitals. We have not yet found out the cause of death, and we are waiting for the team from the state Ministry of Health to carry out tests on the deceased. That is why we can’t say for sure what caused it."

He also mentioned that he has banned the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area as a precaution.

According to him, a preliminary verbal autopsy by the local health team showed there might be a connection between the deaths and the herbal substances.

Dr Banji Ajaka, the state Commissioner for Health, also confirmed the incident in a phone interview. He said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the deaths.

Ajaka did not reveal the specific substance thought to have caused the deaths but mentioned that medical and health officials would carry out further checks in the affected communities.

"The government is taking this matter seriously. We will give more details once the ongoing investigation has clarified what happened," he said.

Meanwhile, some young people in the town held a small protest at the palace of the Odigbo traditional ruler. They demanded explanations and urgent steps to prevent more deaths.

Addressing the youths, the town's monarch, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, urged them to stay calm. He assured them that efforts would be made to understand the cause of the deaths and to find a lasting solution to the problem.