Odigbo Death Toll Rises to 30 as 50 Others Are Hospitalised

By Opeyemi Adelakun

The reported death toll from a suspected poisoning incident in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State has risen to 30, while about 50 people are receiving treatment in various hospitals.

The development has triggered an emergency response by the Ondo State Government, which has deployed a multidisciplinary medical team to the affected communities to determine the cause of the deaths.

Deaths were initially reported in Odigbo town, Newtown and Orita before similar cases were recorded in Araromi-Obu.

However, the state government said the exact cause of the deaths had yet to be established.

Speaking during an assessment visit to the affected communities, Banji Ajaka, Ondo State Commissioner for Health, said preliminary investigations had ruled out viral and bacterial infections.

He said information gathered from residents suggested that some victims might have consumed alcoholic drinks mixed with an unidentified substance or herbal concoction before falling ill.

Ajaka, however, stressed that the suspected substance had not been scientifically confirmed as the cause of the deaths.

“We have not confirmed the source of death,” he said.

According to him, samples of the suspected substances had been collected for laboratory analysis, while blood and urine samples were being taken from surviving patients to establish whether toxic substances or other indicators were present.

He added that post-mortem examinations would be conducted on some of the deceased to help determine the medical cause of death.

The Odigbo Local Government Council has also reportedly approached the court for a coroner’s inquest into the deaths.

The council chairman, Taiwo Adegboye, said N2 million had been released to support the emergency medical response, while additional financial assistance had been requested because the incident was not captured in the council’s budget.

He appealed to residents to avoid the suspected alcoholic product pending the outcome of the investigation.

Receiving the medical team, the Ajobu of Araromi-Obu, Oba Aderemi Adelola, commended the state government for its response and said steps had been taken to prevent further consumption of suspected harmful substances.

“We have stopped the sale of concoctions and alcoholic drinks in the community,” he said.

The monarch also appealed to the state government to upgrade the General Hospital, Araromi-Obu, with an ambulance, morgue, additional medical personnel and a blood bank.

He said the community was renovating the hospital’s staff quarters as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery.

The medical team subsequently visited the General Hospital, Araromi-Obu, and the Comprehensive Health Centre, where affected residents were receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, the state government has warned residents against consuming unapproved herbal drinks, concoctions and other substances that have not been certified safe for human consumption.

Idowu Ajanaku, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, urged residents to purchase medicines and consumables only from authorised outlets and seek professional medical advice.

The government also warned producers, sellers and distributors of unapproved substances to stop the practice or face sanctions.

It further cautioned youths against drug abuse and urged residents to remain calm while avoiding the circulation of unverified information.

The Ondo State Police Command has also commenced an investigation into the reported deaths.

In a statement issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, the command said it was collaborating with the state government and health authorities to establish what caused the fatalities.

Police personnel, including officers from Police Medical Services, are reportedly working with officials of the state Ministry of Health and Odigbo Local Government health authorities to gather information and evidence.

The command said medical and toxicological examinations were being conducted to determine whether any substance was responsible for the deaths.

It cautioned residents against attributing the deaths to a particular substance before the investigation is concluded.

The police said the actual number of casualties and precise cause of death would be established through the ongoing investigation.

The command urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm and provide investigators with useful information.

It also advised residents to refrain from consuming unregulated or suspicious alcoholic and herbal preparations pending the outcome of the investigation.

The police assured the public that they would unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths and take appropriate action against anyone found culpable.