The sleepy agrarian town of Odigbo in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State has been enveloped by agony and grief following the death of 24 locals.
The deceased persons reportedly died between September 3 and 7, 2026, after consuming locally brewed drinks.
The state government has begun an investigation to unravel the exact cause of the deaths, with residents disclosing that some of the victims died in their homes, while others reportedly died in their sleep.
The traditional ruler of Odigbo, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, told youths who stormed his palace to demand an end to the deaths that efforts had begun to ascertain the cause of the deaths and prevent further loss of lives.
Speaking during a visit to the community, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr Ayodele Adeji, said preliminary findings pointed to a possible link between the deaths and the consumption of locally brewed alcoholic beverages popularly known as ‘Monkey Tail’.
According to him, Monkey Tail, as well as other herbal and ethanol-based drinks, had emerged as substances of interest in the ongoing investigation.
“Preliminary findings suggest a possible link between the deaths and the consumption of locally brewed alcoholic beverages, particularly a drink known as ‘Monkey Tail’ and other locally prepared herbal and ethanol-based drinks,” Adeji said.
He, however, warned against reaching conclusions, noting that laboratory analysis of samples collected from the area was still ongoing.
“Further investigations are required to establish whether there is any direct connection between the consumption of the drinks and the reported deaths,” he added.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, said authorities were treating the matter with utmost importance but did not disclose the specific substance suspected to be responsible until medical assessments and laboratory examinations were concluded.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, has imposed a month-long ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area as a precautionary measure.
Adegoroye stated that a preliminary verbal autopsy conducted by the local government health team showed a possible connection between the fatalities and the consumption of certain locally produced substances.
“The decision is intended to protect public health while relevant authorities continue investigations into the reported cases,” he said.
He noted that toxicological investigations were ongoing to establish the exact cause of the deaths and warned that anyone caught selling or distributing the banned drinks during the restriction period would face arrest and prosecution.
It was gathered that the deaths were recorded in Araromi-Obu, Orita New Town and Odigbo communities, while several other victims are currently receiving treatment in hospitals.
