At least, 24 residents of two communities in Araromi Obu and Odigbo in Ondo State have reportedly lost their lives after consuming a herbal liquid substance.
The tragedy, which occurred on Saturday, has plunged the affected communities into deep mourning.
According to a local source, the victims ingested the substance at various locations on Saturday before losing consciousness.
While 24 succumbed to the lethal brew, several others who drank it were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
The source said: “They (the deceased) drank the herbal substance and started dying, eight people died in Araromi Obu while 16 lost their lives in Odigbo town but we are yet to confirm if it is what they drank that killed them but we are sure that the people died after drinking the herbal drinks.
“Some of the people died in their sleep while some died when they got home and many are still in the hospital as I am talking to you.”
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Government confirmed on Wednesday that multiple fatalities occurred in the Odigbo Local Government Area.
In a telephone interview, Odigbo Local Government Chairman Mr. Taiwo Adegoroye confirmed the tragedy, stating that the victims had consumed the substance prior to their deaths.
He added that officials are currently awaiting a medical team to perform autopsies and establish the precise cause of death.
Adegoroye said: “We can confirm the death of 24 people, eight in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town and many are still on admission at hospitals.
“But we are yet to ascertain the cause of the death and we are still waiting for the team from the state Ministry of Health to carry out the test on the deceased. That is why we can’t specifically say the real cause.”
The chairman also said he had placed a ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area as a precautionary measure.
According to him, a preliminary verbal autopsy conducted by the local government health team indicated a possible link between the reported deaths and the consumption of the substances.
Also confirming the tragic deaths, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, said investigations were underway to establish the actual cause of the deaths.
Ajaka did not immediately disclose the specific substance suspected to have caused the deaths, but said medical and health officials would conduct further assessments in the affected communities.
“The government is taking the matter seriously and we will provide more details after the ongoing investigation has established the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Outraged by the deaths, local youths gathered at the palace of the Odigbo monarch to demand urgent government intervention.
The traditional ruler, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, urged calm and promised a thorough investigation to ensure community safety.
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