By Our Reporter
The death toll from suspected poisoning linked to locally produced alcoholic drinks and herbal concoctions popularly known as “Monkey Tail” has risen to 49 in Ondo State.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, disclosed the latest figure on Wednesday night, saying about 170 people had so far been affected by the suspected toxic substances.
The latest fatalities were recorded in Irele Local Government Area, where eight people reportedly died after consuming the suspected poisonous drinks.
Ajaka said health response teams had been deployed to Irele and other affected communities to monitor the situation, manage victims and trace the source of the suspected toxic substance.
He explained that the government had yet to establish whether the poisoning originated from a single source or from different sources.
The latest development comes after an earlier outbreak in Odigbo Local Government Area, where deaths were reported in communities including New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga.
Following the initial deaths, the state government imposed restrictions on the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal drinks in Odigbo as a precautionary measure.
Security and regulatory agencies are also involved in the investigation. The agencies include the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Police have also arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko”, over alleged involvement in the production of a substance suspected to contain methanol. Fourteen other people were reportedly arrested for allegedly violating the ban on the sale of herbal products.
The police said the bodies of those who died were undergoing medical and forensic examinations as investigations continued.
The incident has caused widespread concern in affected communities, with residents combining medical intervention with prayers and other spiritual activities.
The traditional ruler of Odigbo Kingdom, Rufus Akinrimade, urged residents to avoid locally produced alcoholic or herbal drinks whose ingredients and production processes are unknown.
The state government has maintained that investigations will continue until the source of the suspected toxic substance is identified and measures are taken to prevent further deaths.Two headline options