24 Residents Die After Consuming Herbal Substance in Ondo

On Saturday, September 5, 2023, 24 residents of Odigbo Local Government Area died after consuming a herbal liquid substance. The fatalities occurred in two communities: eight in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town.

Victims consumed the substance at various locations, becoming unconscious, with some dying in their sleep and others collapsing upon returning home. Taiwo Adegoroye, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, confirmed the death toll and stated that his administration is awaiting a team from the Ondo State Ministry of Health to conduct autopsies to ascertain the exact cause of death.

A preliminary verbal autopsy suggested a possible link between the deaths and the herbal substance. As a precaution, Adegoroye imposed an immediate ban on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area.

Banji Ajaka, the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, confirmed that investigations are ongoing but did not specify the substance involved.