The death toll from the suspected toxic herbal concoction consumed in parts of Ondo State has reached 49, with the number of affected residents put at about 170.
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The outbreak has moved beyond the Odigbo Local Government Area, where it was initially recorded, to Irele LGA, with eight people reportedly dying in the latter community.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, disclosed this on Wednesday, identifying Irele as the area currently experiencing a serious health challenge linked to the incident.
According to him, the figure of 170 covers victims who were admitted to health facilities as well as those who lost their lives, while government medical teams have been dispatched to the affected areas.
Ajaka said the consumption of ethanol was responsible for the crisis, adding that the government had strengthened its response to prevent further casualties and the spread of the incident.
In a related development, the state police command arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as “Meko,” over alleged involvement in the manufacture of a herbal liquid suspected to be associated with the deaths.
The police also detained 14 other individuals accused of breaching a ban on the sale of herbal products in the affected area, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said.
Jimoh stated that investigators were probing the circumstances surrounding the deaths, while the remains of the victims were subjected to medical and forensic procedures as the arrested suspects assisted with the investigation.
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