The Ondo State Government has confirmed the deaths of 24 residents of Odigbo Local Government Area after they consumed a herbal liquid substance.
Eight people died in Araromi Obu, while 16 others died in Odigbo town, with several others receiving treatment in hospitals.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the deaths on Wednesday, but said the actual cause had not been established.
He said a medical team from the state Ministry of Health would conduct further tests and autopsies on the deceased.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident, saying investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Adegoroye said a preliminary verbal autopsy by the local government health team indicated a possible link between the deaths and consumption of the substances.
As a precaution, the chairman announced a ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area.
Meanwhile, youths in Odigbo staged a protest at the palace of the traditional ruler, demanding urgent action to prevent further deaths.
The monarch, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed for calm and assured the youths that efforts were underway to establish the cause of the deaths.
About The Author
