Ondo, police investigate deaths linked to herbal drinks, alcoholic
Authorities in Nigeria's Ondo State are investigating the deaths of at least 30 people linked to the consumption of local herbal and alcoholic drinks. Officials have ruled out infectious diseases and are conducting toxicological tests to identify the cause.
Why it matters
This incident raises significant public health concerns regarding the regulation and safety of locally produced beverages in the region.
ONDO State Government and the state Police Command have launched investigations into the deaths of residents in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area amid reports that some residents died after consuming locally produced alcoholic drinks and herbal concoctions.
The deaths were first reported in Odigbo town, Newtown, Orita and Araromi-Obu communities on Saturday, September 5.
The state government had confirmed 24 deaths from the two communities, eight in Araromi-Obu and 16 in Odigbo town, but recent media reports say the death toll have risen to 30.
The ICIR contacted the command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, on Thursday night, September 10, to establish the exact number of people confirmed dead in the incident. He said the police were still compiling and verifying casualty figures from the affected communities and hospitals.
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