The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as “Meko,” over the production of a herbal liquid suspected to have caused the deaths of residents in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The arrest followed reports of sudden and unexplained deaths linked to the consumption of herbal drinks in the affected communities.At least 29 people were reportedly killed, while about 60 others were hospitalised after consuming the suspected herbal products.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command said Babatunde was suspected of producing substances believed to contain methanol.
Police said suspected methanol-containing substances were recovered from the suspect and had been submitted for forensic examination to determine their exact composition and possible connection with the deaths.
The police said 14 other suspects were also arrested for allegedly selling and consuming herbal drinks in violation of a ban imposed by the local government authorities.
The suspects include Ayemobola Abayomi, Ebeyilo Oyekan, Fadeyi Folake, Febisola Solomon, Olamojiba Akinyosoye, Julius Ogeichi, Seyifunmi Aduke, Adesanmi Toyin, Oluwoye Amaka, Adeyayi Ojo, Adebayo Olaniyi, Raphael Emeka, Adenuga Oluwaseun and Adediwura Godwin.
According to the command, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Akure for a comprehensive investigation. Detectives also visited Araromi-Obu on September 12 to gather additional evidence, while the bodies of the deceased are undergoing medical and forensic examinations.
The police added that health officials had intensified medical intervention in the affected communities, with several residents receiving medical assessment, testing and treatment at the Odigbo Local Government medical facility.
The outcome of the ongoing post-mortem examinations is expected to provide further evidence on the actual cause of the deaths.
