Ondo Toxic Drink Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 49, 170 Others Affected

The death toll linked to the consumption of suspected toxic alcoholic drinks and locally produced herbal concoctions popularly known as “Monkey Tail” in Ondo State has risen to 49, with about 170 people reportedly affected in the widening health crisis.

The latest figure was disclosed by the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, on Wednesday, September 16, as authorities intensified medical surveillance and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The fatalities had initially been concentrated in Odigbo Local Government Area before new cases were reported in Irele.

Ajaka said eight of the latest deaths were recorded in Irele Local Government Area, prompting the immediate deployment of medical and health officials to the affected communities. The commissioner said the total number of affected persons, including those admitted and those who had died, had risen to approximately 170.

The incident was first reported in communities within Odigbo LGA, including New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga. Earlier reports from the area placed the number of deaths at 24 before the figure subsequently rose to 29, 38 and now 49 as additional fatalities were recorded.

Health authorities have described the cases as suspected poisoning associated with the consumption of locally produced alcoholic and herbal-alcoholic substances. However, officials have cautioned that the precise toxic agent responsible for the deaths remains subject to investigation and forensic confirmation.

The police investigation has also produced arrests. The Ondo State Police Command said Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” was arrested over alleged involvement in the production of a substance suspected to contain methanol. The police said suspected methanol-containing substances were recovered and submitted for forensic examination to establish their composition and determine any possible connection with the deaths.

The police also previously announced the arrest of 14 other people in connection with the sale or consumption of the suspected drinks and herbal concoctions. According to the command, the investigation is examining the source, production, composition, distribution and consumption of the substances as well as their possible relationship with the reported fatalities.

The health crisis has prompted increased medical intervention across the affected communities. Officials have been conducting surveillance, managing suspected cases and tracing possible sources of the substances in an effort to prevent further spread of the incident to other parts of the state.

Earlier in the investigation, health authorities reported symptoms among affected persons including headaches, general body weakness, body pains, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness. Officials said some patients deteriorated rapidly, although laboratory evidence was still required to establish the specific toxic substance responsible.

The Ondo State Government has also taken measures against unregulated locally produced alcoholic and herbal drinks, while authorities have warned residents to avoid consuming beverages or concoctions whose contents, source and production methods cannot be verified. The police have similarly directed sustained enforcement against the production, distribution and sale of unapproved or potentially dangerous alcoholic substances.

With the death toll now standing at 49 and the number of affected people at about 170, investigations involving the state health authorities, police and other relevant agencies are continuing. Officials say forensic examinations and ongoing surveillance will be crucial to determining the precise cause of the deaths and identifying the source of the suspected toxic substances.