Ondo police arrest suspected producer as probe into deadly herbal drinks continues

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man suspected of producing substances linked to a series of deaths in communities within Odigbo Local Government Area.

The suspect, identified in reports as Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as Meko, is alleged to have been involved in producing substances suspected to contain methanol.

The development follows the deaths of at least 29 people after residents in Araromi-Obu, Odigbo and surrounding communities reportedly consumed alcoholic drinks and herbal concoctions.

Police spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh said substances suspected to contain methanol were recovered from the suspect and had been submitted for further investigation and forensic examination.

The tests are expected to establish the exact composition of the recovered substances and determine whether they are connected to the reported deaths.

Authorities have stressed that the precise cause of the deaths has not yet been conclusively established, with medical and forensic procedures still ongoing.

The police also arrested 14 other suspects, including alleged sellers and consumers of the drinks and concoctions, during enforcement operations in parts of Ore and Odigbo.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Akure for further investigation.

Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu has directed sustained enforcement against the production, distribution and sale of unapproved, adulterated or potentially dangerous alcoholic substances across the state.

Residents have also been advised to exercise caution and avoid locally produced or unlabelled drinks whose contents and safety cannot be verified.