Ondo State Government says it has launched an investigation into the deaths of over 24 persons in the Odigbo Local Government Area due to suspected poisoning from locally brewed alcoholic substance.
The Ondo government is collaborating with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, World Health Organisation and other relevant agencies to unearth the cause of the tragic incident.
The deaths which occurred over the weekend in Odigbo and Araromi-Obu communities, have thrown residents into mourning.
According to investigations, over 24 people, mostly youths, died in the two communities from suspected poisoning linked to the consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks.
Several other victims are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, with medical personnel working to stabilise them.
State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the incident, saying government had launched urgent and comprehensive investigation.
Ajaka said, “We’re right now in the field with officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, World Health Organisation, WHO and other relevant agencies.
“We want to conduct a thorough investigation to know the cause. From our preliminary report, it is possibly an ingestion of alcoholic substance.
“I cannot give the exact figure of the deaths now. Some of the deaths were buried immediately. Some are in the mortuary, while some of the victims are still on admission in hospitals.
“The incident affected Odigbo and Araromi-Obu communities.”
Ajaka cautioned against speculations, stressing that it would be premature to attribute the deaths to any particular substance until laboratory analyses and medical investigations were concluded.
