RismadarVoice Reporters
September 10, 2026
The death toll linked to suspected consumption of herbal drinks in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State has risen to 30, with 50 others receiving treatment in various hospitals.
The deaths were reported in Odigbo town, Newtown, Orita and Araromi-Obu communities, prompting the state government to suspend the sale and consumption of locally produced alcoholic drinks and suspected herbal concoctions in the affected areas.
However, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, said the government had yet to establish the exact cause of the deaths.
Ajaka, who visited health facilities in Araromi-Obu, said preliminary investigations had ruled out viral and bacterial infections.
He said some victims were suspected to have consumed alcohol mixed with an unidentified substance before falling ill.
“We have not confirmed the cause of death. Investigations are still ongoing,” the commissioner said.
Samples of the suspected substances, as well as blood and urine samples from patients, have been collected for laboratory analysis. Post-mortem examinations are also expected to be conducted on some of the deceased.
Ajaka said the casualty figure was still being verified as health officials continued to collate information from hospitals and affected communities.
The chairman of Odigbo LGA, Taiwo Adegoroye, said the council became concerned after observing an unusual pattern of deaths and subsequently deployed medical personnel to the affected communities.
He ordered an immediate suspension of the sale of locally produced alcoholic drinks in the affected areas and directed security agencies to enforce the directive. Some suspected sellers were reportedly arrested.
The council chairman also said three bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital for autopsy and urged families of the deceased not to bury the bodies until the examinations were completed.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command said it had commenced an investigation in collaboration with health authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The police spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said medical and toxicological examinations were ongoing and urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information.
The state government also warned residents against consuming unapproved herbal drinks, alcoholic mixtures and other substances from unregulated sources.
Authorities urged residents to obtain medicines and other consumable products from authorised outlets and to seek professional medical advice instead of relying on unverified remedies.
The government assured residents that investigations would continue and that anyone found responsible for producing or distributing harmful substances would face appropriate legal action.
