Police have arrested a suspected producer and 14 others for defying a sales ban, as officials say the outbreak has now affected 170 people.
The death toll from a suspected alcohol poisoning outbreak in Ondo State has risen to 49, with 170 total cases recorded, as the crisis spreads beyond its original epicentre into a new local government area.
Some of those affected allegedly became unconscious before dying at different locations, with additional cases later reported in the Newtown, Odole, Okele and Orita Odigbo communities within the same LGA.
Crisis spreads to Irele LGA
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Ondo Commissioner for Health Dr Banji Ajaka said the casualty figure had climbed further after the outbreak reached Irele Local Government Area, where eight deaths were recorded overnight.
“As we are now, Irele is where we have a serious issue now. Our people were there and many people have died. About eight people have been recorded to have died as at yesterday’s night,” he said.
Ajaka said the total number of people affected, including those who have died and those currently receiving treatment, now stands at 170.
“So all the people that have been affected altogether now is about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died,” he said.
He attributed the poisoning to the victims’ consumption of ethanol, and said the state government was working to prevent further spread to other local government areas, with medical teams already deployed to Irele.
“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.
Government response and arrests
On 13 September, the Ondo State Government banned the sale and distribution of unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances across the state following the earlier deaths of 30 people.
The Ondo State Police Command subsequently arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” over his alleged involvement in producing the herbal liquid suspected to be linked to the deaths.
Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abayomi Jimoh said Babatunde is suspected of producing substances containing methanol and is currently assisting police with investigations.
A further 14 people were arrested for allegedly violating the state’s ban on the sale of herbal products in the affected areas.
Jimoh said the bodies of the deceased are undergoing medical and forensic examination as investigations continue, and that the command had largely contained the immediate situation in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo through sustained security, medical and investigative interventions, even as the Irele outbreak represents a fresh flashpoint.
Odigbo Local Government Chairman Taiwo Adegoroye said the original two-community crisis had been largely brought under control following the deployment of state and local government medical teams, with 14 deaths recorded in Araromi-Obu and 16 in Odigbo from that initial phase.
What happens next
Ajaka said the government remains focused on preventing the outbreak from spreading further, with medical and health officials continuing to move rapidly to any community reporting new cases.
TDC will continue to update this report as the death toll, arrests and investigation develop.
