…50 still critically ill in hospital
More casualties have been recorded in Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, bringing the reported death toll to 30, while about 50 others are receiving treatment in various hospitals after allegedly consuming suspected locally produced alcoholic drinks or herbal concoctions.
The development has prompted an emergency response from the Ondo State Government, with health authorities investigating the incident to determine the cause of the deaths and whether a toxic substance was involved.
Deaths were initially reported in Odigbo town, Newtown, and Orita before similar reports emerged from Araromi-Obu, throwing the affected communities into mourning.
Speaking during an assessment visit and mobilization of a multidisciplinary medical team to the affected communities, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, said the government had yet to establish the exact cause of the deaths.
Ajaka said preliminary investigations had ruled out viral and bacterial infections, while information gathered from residents indicated that some of the victims might have consumed alcohol mixed with an unidentified substance or concoction before they fell ill.
He, however, stressed that the suspected substance had not been scientifically established as the cause of the deaths, adding that investigations were ongoing.
“We have not confirmed the source of death,” he said.
According to him, samples of the suspected substance had been collected for laboratory analysis, while blood and urine samples were being obtained from surviving patients to determine the presence of toxic substances or other indicators that could explain the deaths.
He added that post-mortem examinations would be conducted on some of the deceased as part of efforts to establish the medical cause of death.
Ajaka said the government was still collating information from the affected communities and health facilities, noting that the exact number of casualties had yet to be conclusively established.
When asked about the number of deaths, Ajaka said, “I can’t say precisely,” stressing that a final figure would only be released after the verification and collation exercise.
The commissioner warned residents against consuming unregulated alcoholic mixtures, herbal preparations, and unidentified concoctions, noting that some could be potentially fatal.
He urged residents to avoid products whose contents and safety could not be established pending the outcome of the investigation.
Ajaka also appealed to the public to desist from drawing conclusions or spreading unverified claims about the cause of the deaths, saying laboratory analysis, medical examinations, and autopsies would provide the evidence needed to establish what happened.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Odigbo Local Government Council, Mr Taiwo Adegoroye, said the alarm was raised after an unusual pattern of deaths was observed in some communities.
Adegoroye said he contacted the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Saturday following reports of the deaths, after which a medical team was deployed to the affected areas on Sunday.
He said the team immediately commenced investigations and engaged residents as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As an immediate preventive measure, Adegoroye said the council ordered a halt to the sale of locally produced alcohol in the affected areas pending the outcome of the investigation.
He added that security agencies had been directed to enforce the order, while some suspected sellers had been arrested as investigators traced the source of the suspected drink.
According to him, hotels and other establishments where the product was reportedly sold had also been directed to suspend its sale.
Adegoroye disclosed that three bodies had been taken to the General Hospital for autopsy, while families of the deceased had been advised not to bury the bodies until the necessary examinations were completed.
He added that the council had approached the court for a coroner’s inquest into the deaths.
The chairman said the council had released N2 million to support the emergency medical response, while additional financial assistance had been requested because the incident was not anticipated in the council’s budget.
He appealed to residents to avoid the suspected alcoholic product while the investigation continued.
Receiving the medical team, the Ajobu of Araromi-Obu, HRM Oba Aderemi Adelola, commended the state government for its quick response to the development.
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The monarch said measures had already been taken to prevent further consumption of suspected harmful substances in the community.
“we have stopped the sale of concoctions and alcoholic drinks in the community,” he said.
Oba Adelola appealed to the state government to upgrade the General Hospital, Araromi-Obu, through the provision of an ambulance, morgue, additional personnel, and a blood bank.
He assured the government of the community’s support for the hospital, disclosing that the community was renovating the staff quarters to improve service delivery.
The medical team visited the General Hospital, Araromi-Obu, and the Comprehensive Health Centre, where affected residents were receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, following reports of more deaths, the state government warned residents against consuming unapproved herbal drinks, concoctions, and other substances not certified safe for human consumption.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, in a statement on Thursday, urged residents to obtain medicines and consumables only from authorized outlets and seek professional medical advice.
The government also warned producers, sellers, and distributors of unapproved substances to desist or face sanctions, while cautioning youths against drug abuse.
It said the investigation was ongoing to determine the cause of the deaths and urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
The government also commended the Odigbo council chairman, Hon. Taiwo Adegboye, for his prompt intervention.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the reported deaths.
The command, in a statement issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Abayomi Jimoh, said it was collaborating with the state government and relevant health authorities to determine the actual cause of the deaths.
The statement said police personnel, including officers from the Police Medical Services, were working with officials of the state Ministry of Health and Odigbo Local Government health authorities to collect relevant information and evidence.
It added that medical and toxicological examinations were being conducted to determine whether any substance was responsible for the fatalities.
The command cautioned residents against spreading unverified information or attributing the deaths to any particular substance before the conclusion of the investigation.
It said the actual number of casualties and precise cause of the deaths would be established through the ongoing investigation.
The police urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with investigators by providing useful information.
The command also advised residents to refrain from consuming unregulated or suspicious alcoholic and herbal preparations pending the outcome of the investigation.
The command assured residents that it would unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths and take appropriate action against anyone found culpable.
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