24 DIE IN ONDO AS AUTHORITIES PROBE SUSPECTED POISONING

By: Pen Blog Media.

Date: Wednesday, 9th September, 2026 | 27th Rabī’ul Awwal, 1448 AH.

AKURE, Nigeria — At least 24 people have died in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State following a suspected poisoning incident, while several others are receiving treatment in hospitals as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The fatalities were recorded in Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, with eight deaths reported in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town, according to the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye.

The incident reportedly occurred over the weekend after some residents consumed locally produced herbal and alcoholic drinks. Some of those affected reportedly became unconscious before their conditions deteriorated, while others were said to have died at home or in their sleep. Several other people who consumed the substances were taken to hospitals for treatment.

However, authorities have cautioned against drawing a definite conclusion about the cause of the deaths.

Adegoroye confirmed the 24 fatalities but said the local government was still awaiting medical experts from the Ondo State Ministry of Health to conduct further examinations, including autopsies and laboratory tests, to establish the actual cause of death.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway. He did not identify a specific substance as responsible for the deaths, stressing that further medical assessments were necessary before any conclusion could be reached.

Possible Link To Locally Produced Drinks

Preliminary findings have reportedly raised the possibility of a connection between the deaths and the consumption of locally produced alcoholic and herbal drinks.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr Ayodele Adiji, reportedly said samples had been collected for laboratory and toxicological analysis. A locally produced alcoholic drink popularly known as “Monkey Tail” was among the substances mentioned in reports concerning the investigation.

There have also been reports of possible methanol contamination, but this has not been established as the confirmed cause of the deaths. Laboratory analysis is still expected to determine whether any particular substance was responsible.

Local Authorities Impose Precautionary Measures

As authorities work to establish what happened, the Odigbo Local Government Council has imposed restrictions on the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the affected area as a precautionary measure.

The development has caused concern among residents, with reports indicating that some youths in the affected communities protested and sought answers from local authorities and traditional leaders. The traditional ruler, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed for calm while investigations continue.

The Ondo State Police Command is also reportedly working with government and health authorities as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Police have urged residents to avoid spreading unverified claims or attributing the fatalities to a particular substance before the investigation is concluded.

For now, authorities have confirmed the 24 deaths, but the precise cause remains under investigation.

Health officials are expected to provide further information once the laboratory, toxicological and medical examinations are completed.