The suspected poisonous drink crisis, which began in Odigbo Local Government Area, has spread to Irele, where eight deaths have been reported, as police arrest suspected producer.

The death toll from a suspected poisonous herbal drink in Ondo State has risen to 49, with about 170 people reportedly affected, including those who have been hospitalised and those who died.

The health crisis, initially reported in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, has now spread to Irele Local Government Area, where eight deaths were recorded as of Tuesday night.

The development has triggered intensified medical, security and investigative efforts by the Ondo State Government and security agencies to determine the cause of the deaths and prevent further spread.

Earlier reports put the number of fatalities in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo at 24. Odigbo Local Government Chairman, Taiwo Adegoroye, had disclosed that eight people died in Araromi-Obu, while 16 others died in Odigbo.

The reported death toll subsequently increased to 27 before rising to 49 as of Wednesday.

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Adegoroye said the situation in the initially affected communities had begun to improve following the intervention of medical teams deployed by the state and local governments.

However, the crisis took a worrying turn after cases were reported in Irele Local Government Area.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the increase in the number of affected persons and said Irele had emerged as the latest area experiencing a serious outbreak.

According to Ajaka, eight deaths had been recorded in Irele as of Tuesday night, while the total number of people affected across the areas stood at approximately 170.

The commissioner linked the incident to the consumption of ethanol by victims, while stressing that the state government had intensified efforts to contain the situation and prevent it from spreading to other local government areas.

He said medical personnel, health officials and other relevant stakeholders were deployed to the affected communities immediately after the authorities received reports of the incident.

Police Arrest Suspected Herbal Drink Producer

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” over the alleged production of a herbal liquid suspected to be connected with the deaths.

Fourteen other people were also arrested for allegedly violating a local government directive prohibiting the sale of herbal products.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command had commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether the suspected herbal product was responsible.

According to the police, Babatunde is suspected of producing substances that may contain methanol and is currently assisting investigators.

The command said the situation in Araromi-Obu had been brought under control following coordinated interventions involving security personnel, medical teams and investigators.

The police also disclosed that the remains of the deceased were undergoing medical and forensic examinations as part of efforts to establish the cause of death.

The command said further information would be made public as investigators obtain additional findings.

Authorities have continued to urge residents in the affected communities to exercise caution and cooperate with health and security officials while investigations and medical interventions continue.