24 Die in Ondo Over Suspected Poisoning From Local Alcohol, Sachet Drinks

Panic has gripped communities in Odigbo Local Council Area of Ondo State following the deaths of 24 people, mostly youths, in what authorities suspect may be a case of mass poisoning linked to the consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks and sachet-based concoctions.
The deaths were recorded over the weekend in Odigbo and Araromi-Obu communities, triggering concern among residents and prompting the local government to impose an immediate ban on the sale and consumption of locally produced alcoholic beverages.
Several other people who reportedly consumed the substances are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals, where medical personnel are working to stabilise their conditions.
The Ondo State Government has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and identify the substance responsible for the suspected poisoning.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the incident, saying health authorities were conducting further assessments in the affected communities.
Ajaka declined to identify any specific substance as the cause of the deaths, stressing that medical and health officials needed to complete their investigations before drawing definitive conclusions.
He said the state government was treating the incident as a matter of serious concern and would release further details once the ongoing investigation established the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
However, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Ayodele Adeji, said preliminary findings had raised concerns about possible methanol contamination.
Adeji cautioned that the suspected methanol poisoning had not yet been conclusively established, noting that laboratory analysis of samples collected by the medical team was still in progress.
He added that further investigation would be necessary to determine whether there was a direct link between the consumption of the locally brewed alcoholic beverages and the reported deaths.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Adegoroye, said preliminary investigations by the council’s health team had also indicated a possible connection between the deaths and consumption of the suspected substances.
The council subsequently moved to restrict the sale and consumption of locally produced alcoholic drinks as a precautionary measure while authorities continue efforts to establish the cause of the deaths.
Health officials are expected to intensify surveillance and testing in the affected communities as investigations continue, while residents have been urged to exercise caution and avoid consuming the suspected products until authorities determine what caused the fatalities.