Ondo Herbal Drink Tragedy: Survivor Vows Never to Drink Again as Death Toll Tops 30

Ondo Herbal Drink Tragedy: Survivor Vows Never to Drink Again as Death Toll Tops 30

A survivor of the suspected herbal drink tragedy in Ondo State has vowed never to drink alcohol again if God saves him, as the number of people reported dead after consuming suspected adulterated locally made alcoholic drinks in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area has risen to more than 30.

The incident has plunged communities including Odigbo town, Newtown, Orita and Araromi-Obu into mourning, with more than 50 other people reportedly receiving treatment in various health facilities.

The exact number of deaths has varied in different official and media updates as health authorities continue to verify cases and investigate the cause of the deaths.

Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed that a man suspected of selling the drink had been arrested and handed over to the police in Akure.

“A suspect alleged to have sold the herbal drink has been arrested and handed over to the police in Akure,” Adegoroye said.

He added that investigations were ongoing to determine the source and composition of the substance consumed by the victims.

According to the council chairman, preliminary findings from medical experts and toxicologists pointed to the consumption of adulterated locally made alcoholic drinks as a possible link to the deaths.

He said the local government sought urgent intervention after he alerted Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, leading to the deployment of a medical team from Akure to the affected communities.

The team, according to Adegoroye, included officials from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The authorities have continued to investigate the precise substance responsible for the deaths and illnesses, with health officials carrying out medical and toxicological examinations.

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Adegoroye said some of the locally made drinks being investigated were known by different names in the communities, including “Jeji” and “Ere”.

He also identified unapproved locally produced alcoholic drinks and substances suspected to contain unsafe forms of ethanol among the products being examined by toxicologists.

The local government has consequently banned the sale and consumption of locally made alcoholic drinks in the affected areas and directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone who violates the order.

The ban followed growing concerns that continued consumption or sale of unregulated alcoholic products could result in additional deaths.

The authorities have also intensified public awareness campaigns, urging residents to avoid unapproved alcoholic drinks, herbal mixtures, concoctions and other substances whose contents and safety cannot be verified.

The Ondo State Government had earlier confirmed that the deaths were being investigated as a possible public-health emergency after several people suddenly became ill and died within a short period.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, said preliminary investigations had ruled out some infectious causes, while authorities continued to examine the possibility of toxic substances in drinks consumed by some of the victims.

Health officials have stressed the need to establish the exact cause through laboratory and toxicological investigations rather than relying solely on accounts from residents or relatives.

Authorities have also taken steps to preserve evidence and determine the circumstances surrounding individual deaths.

Meanwhile, one of the survivors of the incident, 32-year-old Shola Adebayo, has recounted how consuming just two shots of a locally made drink known as “Monkey Tail” left him struggling with his eyesight.

Adebayo said a friend brought the drink from Ore, after which they consumed it together.

He said he did not initially realise that anything was seriously wrong but discovered the following day that he could no longer see properly.

“I took Monkey Tail. On Saturday, I discovered I couldn’t see very well, so I called my sister and I was taken to the hospital,” Adebayo said.

He said his condition had started improving after receiving medical treatment but that he was still praying for his eyesight to return fully.

“I’m getting better, but I’m praying for my eyes,” he said.

The experience, he added, had changed his attitude towards alcohol.

“If God saves me, I swear I will never take any drinks again. Even beer, I won’t take,” the survivor pleaded.

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Adebayo’s account has added to concerns over the potential dangers of consuming locally produced alcoholic drinks whose ingredients, concentration and production processes are unknown.

Families of some of those who died have also spoken about the devastating impact of the incident on the affected communities.

A relative of some victims, Adebayo Adetayo Adedeji, said his family and community had lost three young men whom he identified as Leo, Bidemi and Matthew.

He said Bidemi’s death was particularly painful because the young man was not known to have any illness before he suddenly complained of dizziness and died.

Adedeji welcomed the local government’s decision to suspend the sale and consumption of the suspected drinks, saying stronger action was needed to prevent further deaths.

“If they had not banned the drinking or selling of alcohol in the local government, by now Odigbo would have been a death depot,” he said.

The traditional ruler of Odigbo Kingdom, Oba Dr Rufus Akinrimade, also urged residents to be cautious about what they consume.

The monarch dismissed claims that the deaths were caused by a cultural taboo, saying information available to the community pointed towards the consumption of locally made alcoholic substances.

“At the end of the day, we realised it was caused by taking different alcoholic substances, locally made alcohol,” the monarch said.

He urged residents, particularly young people, to establish the source and safety of substances before consuming them.

The incident has prompted renewed calls for tighter regulation of locally produced alcoholic drinks and stronger enforcement against the sale of unapproved beverages.

Authorities have warned that producers and sellers of unapproved or adulterated alcoholic products could face prosecution if investigations establish their involvement.

For now, however, health authorities are continuing to investigate the exact toxic substance, while the arrested suspected seller remains in police custody as the probe progresses.

The Ondo State Government has urged residents of Odigbo and surrounding communities to remain calm, cooperate with investigators and immediately seek medical attention if they experience symptoms after consuming any alcoholic or herbal product.

The government has also advised residents to avoid unapproved drinks and substances until the investigation into the deaths is concluded.

As survivors such as Adebayo continue treatment, the tragedy has left affected communities grappling with grief while authorities work to establish what caused the deaths and prevent a recurrence.

Ondo Herbal Drink Tragedy: Survivor Vows Never to Drink Again as Death Toll Tops 30