At least 170 people have been affected by a suspected toxic herbal concoction in Ondo State, with the death toll rising to 49.
The crisis has now spread to Irele Local Government Area, where eight people were reportedly confirmed dead after consuming the suspected substance.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, disclosed this, saying the government had deployed medical teams to Irele following reports of the deaths.
Ajaka described Irele as the government’s current major area of concern, noting that several people had died in the area, according to LEADERSHIP.
“As we are now, Irele is where we have a serious issue. Our people were there and many people have died. About eight people have been recorded to have died as of last night,” he said.
He added that the total number of people affected across the state had risen to about 170, including those admitted to health facilities and those who died.
Ajaka said the state government was responding quickly to reports from affected communities by deploying medical and health teams to contain the crisis and prevent further deaths.
“We will always be fast about it wherever and whenever we hear reports of the issue. Our teams are already in Irele as I’m talking to you now,” he said.
The commissioner also linked the health crisis to the consumption of ethanol by the victims.
The suspected poisoning was first reported in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Adegoroye, had initially put the death toll at 24, comprising eight deaths in Araromi-Obu and 16 in Odigbo. The figure later rose to 29 before reaching 49 following the deaths recorded in Irele.
