No fewer than 29 people have reportedly died in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Ondo State following the consumption of suspected contaminated herbal drinks, with the police arresting a man allegedly involved in their production.
The Ondo State Police Command disclosed this in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, on Monday, saying the suspect, identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” was arrested alongside 14 others.
According to the command, Babatunde is suspected to have been involved in the production of substances believed to contain methanol, while samples recovered from him have been subjected to forensic examination to determine their exact composition and possible connection with the deaths.
The police said the development followed reports of sudden and unnatural deaths involving youths in Araromi-Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area, adding that security, medical and investigative interventions had been intensified to contain the situation.
The command said about 60 other residents affected by the consumption of the herbal products had been taken to the Odigbo Local Government medical facility for medical assessment, testing and treatment.
It added that the bodies of the deceased were undergoing medical and forensic procedures, while post-mortem examinations were expected to provide further evidence on the actual causes of the deaths.
The 14 other suspects were arrested for allegedly selling and consuming herbal drinks in violation of an order banning the sale and consumption of the products in the affected area.
The suspects were identified as Ayemobola Abayomi, Ebeyilo Oyekan, Fadeyi Folake, Febisola Solomon, Olamojiba Akinyosoye, Julius Ogeichi, Seyifunmi Aduke, Adesanmi Toyin, Oluwoye Amaka, Adeyayi Ojo, Adebayo Olaniyi, Raphael Emeka, Adenuga Oluwaseun and Adediwura Godwin.
The police said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure, for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
The command further disclosed that a team of detectives visited Araromi-Obu on September 12 to advance investigations and gather additional evidence.
