In Ondo State, forty-nine people have now been confirmed dead amid a growing health crisis caused by the consumption of a poisonous local drink.
Within Nigeria had earlier reported that 30 people died after consuming what is now believed to be a harmful locally concocted herbal substance in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
Health authorities in the South West on Wednesday confirmed that the death toll from the incident has now risen to 49.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, who confirmed the latest death count to newsmen, said nineteen more people have lost their lives to the poisonous drink.
He stated that the total number of affected persons, including those hospitalised, has climbed to about 170.
According to him, the latest deaths are recorded in Irele Local Government Area, where the health crisis has now spread to.
He said, “As we are now, Irele (LG) is where we have a serious issue now. Our people were there, and many people have died. About 14 people have been recorded to have died as of yesterday night.
“So all the people that have been affected altogether now are about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died.”
The commissioner maintained that the consumption of ethanol was responsible for the health crisis, adding that the state government was working tirelessly to contain the situation and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the state.
“We are always fast about it wherever and whenever we hear the report of the issue. Our teams are already in Irele as I’m talking to you now,” he said.
The Ondo State Police Command had earlier arrested a man, Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” who is suspected to have produced the herbal liquid linked to the deaths.
In addition, 14 other persons were arrested for allegedly violating a ban on the sale of herbal products imposed by the local government authorities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command had begun an investigation into the incident, while the bodies of the deceased were undergoing necessary medical and forensic examinations
