Ondo Alcohol Poisoning Death Toll Climbs to 49

What began as a cluster of unexplained deaths in two Ondo communities has developed into a major public health emergency, with the reported death toll rising to 49 following suspected poisoning linked to locally produced alcoholic and herbal mixtures.

The affected communities include Odigbo town and Araromi-Obu in Odigbo Local Government Area, where residents reportedly began falling ill after consuming the substances.

The incident emerged on September 5, when several residents developed severe symptoms after consuming locally produced drinks and herbal concoctions. Early reports put the death toll at 24 before it rose to 30 as more victims were identified.

Victims reportedly suffered severe headaches, weakness, visual disturbances, breathing difficulties and altered consciousness. The pattern prompted health officials to investigate the substances consumed by those affected.

The Ondo State Government subsequently banned the sale and distribution of unverified alcoholic drinks and other related substances across the state as authorities moved to prevent further exposure.

Health Commissioner Banji Ajaka said the clinical pattern raised suspicion of exposure to a toxic alcoholic substance, while stressing that laboratory tests were needed to establish the precise cause.

The police have also launched an investigation into the production and distribution of the substances.

A suspected producer of harmful alcoholic products was arrested, while 14 others were detained during enforcement operations in Ore and Odigbo.

Police said substances suspected to contain methanol were recovered from the suspected producer and submitted for forensic examination.

Investigators are examining the composition of the substances, their source and how they reached consumers in the affected communities. The tests are expected to help establish whether the suspected contamination caused the deaths.

Authorities have continued to warn residents against consuming alcoholic drinks and herbal mixtures whose ingredients or production processes cannot be verified.

The rising toll has heightened pressure on investigators to determine the source of the substances and identify everyone involved in their production and distribution.

The incident has now triggered a wider response involving the state government, health officials and security agencies as efforts continue to prevent further deaths and establish what caused the outbreak.