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.

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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

Troops Arrest Six Kidnap Suspects in Adamawa as Boko Haram, ISWAP Fighter Surrenders in Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested six suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate in Adamawa State, while a suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighter surrendered to the military in Borno State with an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and an improvised explosive device.

The latest operations were carried out in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa and Kaga Local Government Area of Borno, as troops continued operations against terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the North-East.

The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed the developments in a statement issued on Monday.

In Adamawa, troops of Sector 4, Operation Hadin Kai, working alongside local hunters, acted on credible intelligence concerning the activities of a suspected kidnapping syndicate operating around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area.

The troops raided the suspected hideout, arresting three suspects and recovering a Dane gun.

The military said further investigation and subsequent covert operations resulted in the arrest of three additional suspects, bringing the total number of suspected kidnappers arrested to six.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the syndicate had been operating across the Soktu, Dumne and Maigero areas of Song LGA.

The suspects reportedly admitted involvement in the abduction of several victims for ransom, as well as other violent crimes in the area.

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The six suspects remain in military custody for further investigation and appropriate legal action, according to the military.

In a separate development in Borno, troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade, operating under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai and working with Forest Guards, received a surrendered Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist at Borgozo in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area.

The surrender took place on September 13, with preliminary investigations indicating that the fighter had escaped from a terrorist enclave and decided to abandon the insurgency.

The military said the surrendered fighter was found in possession of one AK-47 rifle, 14 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, four magazines, one improvised explosive device (IED), one magazine pouch and a bicycle.

The suspect has been taken into military custody and is undergoing further investigation and profiling in line with established procedures.

The military described the latest developments as part of its sustained pressure on terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements operating across the North-East.

Operation Hadin Kai has continued to combine intelligence-led operations, raids and collaboration with local security networks in efforts to disrupt terrorist and criminal activities and restrict the movement of armed groups.

The Theatre Command said it remained committed to sustaining offensive operations, denying terrorists and other criminal groups freedom of action, improving security for law-abiding residents and creating conditions for economic and social activities to thrive.

The latest arrests and surrender come amid continued military operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP in Borno and surrounding areas, where security forces have intensified efforts to weaken terrorist networks and encourage fighters willing to abandon the insurgency to surrender.

The military has continued to subject surrendered fighters to investigation and profiling to establish their identities, activities and possible links to terrorist networks before determining the appropriate next steps.

The authorities also continue to urge residents to provide credible information on the activities and movements of suspected terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups to security agencies.

Troops Arrest Six Kidnap Suspects in Adamawa as Boko Haram, ISWAP Fighter Surrenders in Borno

Grand Chief Imam calls for professional communication structure for Rabitoh 1964

OYO, September 14, 2026 — The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has called on the leadership of Rabitoh 1964 to strengthen its public communication structure to ensure that its positions are clearly and accurately conveyed to the Muslim Ummah and the wider public.

Akeugberu said the organisation should consider appointing a seasoned media professional with experience across print, electronic and digital platforms to coordinate its public communication.

The recommendation was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Grand Chief Imam, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade.

According to the statement, clearer communication would help reduce the burden on the leadership of Rabitoh 1964, particularly the Mudeer Markaz, while ensuring that official positions are properly articulated, contextualised and presented to the public.

The Grand Chief Imam said this would also minimise the risk of statements being misunderstood, distorted or interpreted outside their intended context.

He urged Rabitoh 1964 to preserve its character as a broad and unifying Islamic platform rather than allowing it to be identified with any particular ideological sect, jurisprudential school or group within the Muslim Ummah.

Akeugberu said the organisation’s positions should be guided by the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, while recognising legitimate differences of opinion in matters of Islamic jurisprudence.

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He specifically cited issues surrounding the commencement and termination of Ramadan, sighting of the crescent moon and whether Sha‘ban should be completed with 30 days as matters requiring knowledge, wisdom, consultation and responsible communication.

According to him, disagreements over such issues should not be allowed to create the impression that Rabitoh 1964 belongs exclusively to a particular sect, creed or ideological tendency.

The Grand Chief Imam also stressed the need for openness and consultation in the affairs of the organisation, rejecting any perception of Rabitoh 1964 as a closed association.

“Islam is an open religion,” the statement said, emphasising the importance of transparency, consultation and collective responsibility in institutions established to serve the Muslim community.

Akeugberu said decisions on matters affecting the Ummah should follow adequate consultation and, once reached, should be presented clearly as the agreed position of the organisation.

He further said Rabitoh 1964 should maintain an effective presence across newspapers, radio, television, online platforms and social media, while responding promptly to misinformation or inaccurate attribution of positions to the organisation.

He said improved communication would strengthen the relationship between the organisation and the wider Muslim Ummah in Yorubaland, promote understanding of its objectives and contribute to the unity and dignity of the Muslim community.

The Grand Chief Imam therefore urged the leadership to constitute a competent and professionally led communication structure capable of translating the decisions and positions of the organisation into clear, responsible and authoritative public messages.

The objective, he said, should be for Rabitoh 1964 to speak with a clear and responsible voice without compromising the legitimate diversity of jurisprudential opinions within the Muslim Ummah.

The statement was issued to journalists by Agunbiade on behalf of the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land.

Grand Chief Imam calls for professional communication structure for Rabitoh 1964