By Peter Dada. The Ondo State Government on Wednesday confirmed the deaths of 24 residents of Odigbo Local Government Area following the consumption of a herbal liquid substance. No fewer than 24 residents of two communities in the council area, Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, reportedly lost their lives after consuming the substance. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, threw the affected communities into mourning.
A source said the deceased consumed the substance at different locations on Saturday but later became unconscious, leading to their deaths, while some others who also consumed it were rushed to hospitals: "They drank the herbal substance and started dying. Eight people died in Araromi Obu while 16 others lost their lives in Odigbo town... Some died in their sleep while some died when they got home, and many are still in the hospital."
The Chairman of Odigbo LGA, Mr Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the deaths and said they were waiting for a medical team to carry out autopsies; he banned the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area as a precaution. A preliminary verbal autopsy by the local government health team indicated a possible link between the deaths and the consumption of the substances.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident, saying investigations were underway to establish the actual cause. Meanwhile, some youths staged a mini protest to the palace of the Odigbo traditional ruler to demand explanations and urgent measures; the monarch, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed for calm and assured them efforts would be made to ascertain the circumstances. (Source: punchng.com)
