The Ondo State Authorities on Wednesday confirmed the deaths of some folks in Odigbo Native Authorities Space of the state following the consumption of a natural liquid substance.
No fewer than 24 residents of two communities in the council space, Araromi Obu and Odigbo city, reportedly misplaced their lives after consuming the substance.
The incident, which was mentioned to have occurred on Saturday, has thrown the affected communities into mourning.
A supply in the world mentioned the deceased consumed the substance on Saturday at completely different areas however later turned unconscious, resulting in their deaths, whereas some others who additionally consumed the substance have been rushed to the hospital.
The supply mentioned, “They (the deceased) drank the natural substance and began dying, eight folks died in Araromi Obu whereas 16 misplaced their lives in Odigbo city however we’re but to substantiate whether it is what they drank that killed them however we’re positive that the folks died after consuming the natural drinks.
“Among the folks died in their sleep whereas some died once they bought residence and lots of are nonetheless in the hospital as I’m speaking to you.”
Confirming the incident in a phone interview, the Chairman of Odigbo Native Authorities, Mr Taiwo Adegoroye, mentioned the deceased consumed the substance earlier than the incident, including that they have been ready for a medical crew to hold out autopsies to find out the precise reason for the deaths.
Adegoroye mentioned, “We will verify the demise of 24 folks, eight in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo city and lots of are nonetheless on admission at hospitals. However we’re but to establish the reason for the demise and we’re nonetheless ready for the crew from the state Ministry of Well being to hold out the take a look at on the deceased. That’s the reason we will’t particularly say the actual trigger.”
The chairman additionally mentioned he had positioned a ban on the sale and consumption of domestically brewed alcoholic drinks in the world as a precautionary measure.
Based on him, a preliminary verbal post-mortem carried out by the native authorities well being crew indicated a doable hyperlink between the reported deaths and the consumption of the substances.
In the identical vein, the state Commissioner for Well being, Dr Banji Ajaka, additionally confirmed the incident in a phone interview, saying investigations have been underway to determine the precise reason for the deaths.
Ajaka didn’t instantly disclose the precise substance suspected to have induced the deaths, however mentioned medical and well being officers would conduct additional assessments in the affected communities.
“The federal government is taking the matter critically and we’ll present extra particulars after the continued investigation has established the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
In the meantime, some youths in the city staged a mini protest and went to the palace of the Odigbo conventional ruler to demand explanations and pressing measures to forestall additional lack of life.
Addressing the youths, the monarch of the city, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed for calm and guaranteed them that efforts can be made to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and discover a lasting answer to the state of affairs.
