Police Arrest Herbal Drink Producer as Ondo Death Toll Hits 29

Police Arrest Herbal Drink Producer as Ondo Death Toll Hits 29

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko”, over the alleged production of herbal drinks suspected to be linked to the deaths of 29 people in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The arrest followed reports of sudden and unexplained deaths among residents, particularly young people, in several communities after the consumption of suspected contaminated alcoholic drinks and herbal concoctions.

The Ondo State Government has confirmed 29 deaths and 60 suspected cases connected with the incident, prompting authorities to intensify measures against the production, sale and distribution of unverified alcoholic drinks and potentially dangerous herbal mixtures.

Police spokesman, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said Babatunde was arrested after investigators traced suspected harmful substances to him. He is currently assisting the police as investigations continue into the source, production and distribution of the drinks.

The police said substances suspected to contain methanol were recovered and submitted for forensic examination. The laboratory analysis is expected to establish the exact composition of the substances and determine whether there is a direct link between them and the reported deaths.

The command stressed that the suspected presence of methanol has not yet been established as the definitive cause of all the deaths, as forensic examinations and post-mortem procedures are still ongoing.

The bodies of the deceased are undergoing medical and forensic procedures, with the police saying the outcome of the post-mortem examinations should provide additional evidence concerning the actual causes of death.

READ ALSO:

• Troops Arrest Six Kidnap Suspects in Adamawa as Boko Haram, ISWAP Fighter Surrenders in Borno
• Labour Party Disowns Arabambi Over Peter Obi Records Lawsuits
• ‘Completely False’ — Moreno Denies Using AI to Prepare Games

In a related enforcement operation, the police arrested 14 other suspects over alleged violations of the ban on the sale and consumption of dangerous alcoholic drinks and concoctions in the affected communities.

The suspects comprise people allegedly involved in selling or consuming the prohibited products. They have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Akure for further investigation.

The enforcement operation followed directives from the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, targeting alcoholic drinks and concoctions considered dangerous or potentially life-threatening.

According to the police, investigators are examining every relevant lead, including the source, production, composition, distribution and consumption of the suspected drinks.

The development has also triggered intensified medical intervention in the affected communities. Health officials have been attending to people who consumed the suspected drinks, with affected residents taken to health facilities for assessment, testing and treatment.

The state government earlier moved to halt the production and distribution of unverified alcoholic beverages following the rapid increase in deaths.

The state Health Commissioner, Banji Awolowo-Ajaka, confirmed the 29 deaths and 60 suspected cases, with the affected communities spread across the Odigbo area. Earlier reports had put the death toll at 24 and later 27 before the government confirmed the figure of 29.

The police said the immediate situation had been brought under control following coordinated security, medical and investigative measures, but the investigation into the deaths remains active.

The authorities are expected to rely on laboratory results, post-mortem findings, recovered substances, statements from survivors and other evidence to establish exactly what caused the deaths and whether any individuals should face criminal charges.

The incident has renewed concerns over the dangers associated with unregulated alcoholic drinks and herbal concoctions, especially products whose ingredients and production processes are unknown or have not been subjected to safety checks.

Residents in the affected communities have been urged to avoid consuming unverified alcoholic or herbal products and to promptly seek medical attention if they develop symptoms after consuming suspicious substances.

The arrest of Babatunde and the 14 other suspects does not amount to a finding of guilt. They remain suspects while the police investigation and forensic examinations continue.

The authorities are yet to make a final determination on the precise cause of the deaths or establish through forensic evidence whether methanol contamination was responsible for the entire outbreak.

The outcome of the ongoing investigation is expected to determine whether the suspected producer and other persons arrested will face prosecution and what additional action may be taken against those involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of potentially harmful drinks.

Police Arrest Herbal Drink Producer as Ondo Death Toll Hits 29