The Ondo State Government has confirmed the deaths of 24 residents of Odigbo Local Government Area following the consumption of a herbal liquid substance, as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The deaths were recorded in Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, with eight people reportedly dying in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town. Several other residents who consumed the substance are receiving treatment in hospitals.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 5, 2026. According to residents, some of those who consumed the substance later became unconscious before they died.
However, authorities have cautioned against concluding that the herbal substance was responsible for the deaths until medical examinations and laboratory investigations establish the actual cause.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the 24 deaths and said health officials were expected to conduct tests and autopsies on the deceased.
“We can confirm the death of 24 people, eight in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town, and many are still on admission at hospitals. But we are yet to ascertain the cause of the death.”
Adegoroye said a preliminary verbal assessment by the local government health team indicated a possible connection between the deaths and consumption of the substances, but stressed that further medical investigation was required.
As a precaution, the council has banned the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the affected area pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident and said medical and health officials were assessing the situation in the affected communities.
Ajaka did not identify the specific substance suspected to be involved, saying the government would provide further information after the investigation establishes what happened.
The Ondo State Police Command has also commenced a comprehensive investigation into the deaths, which it described as suspected cases of possible poisoning. Police medical personnel are working with the state Ministry of Health and the Odigbo local government health authorities to gather evidence and establish the cause of the fatalities.
Police spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information or attributing the deaths to a particular substance while laboratory analyses are ongoing.
The development has caused tension in the affected communities, with some youths staging a protest and visiting the palace of the Odigbo traditional ruler, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, to demand answers and urgent action.
The monarch appealed for calm and assured the protesters that efforts were underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and prevent further loss of life.
Authorities have yet to publicly establish the exact substance involved or the definitive medical cause of the 24 deaths. The outcome of the ongoing medical and laboratory investigations is expected to provide clarity.
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