The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected producer of substances believed to contain methanol following a series of sudden deaths reported in communities within Odigbo Local Government Area.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody as part of an investigation into the deaths of about 30 residents of Araromi-Obu and neighbouring communities. Authorities suspect that the victims may have consumed contaminated alcoholic drinks or locally prepared alcoholic mixtures.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to Jimoh, investigators have recovered substances suspected to contain methanol from the suspect. The materials have been submitted for further investigation and forensic analysis to determine their composition and establish whether they are connected to the deaths.
He added that medical and forensic examinations were also being conducted on the remains of the victims to establish the actual cause of death.
14 More Suspects Arrested
The police spokesperson further revealed that operatives from the State Criminal Investigation Department had arrested 14 additional people in different affected communities.
Those arrested include individuals suspected of selling the alcoholic mixtures as well as some people who consumed them.
The arrests form part of the wider investigation aimed at determining how the suspected contaminated drinks were produced, distributed and consumed.
29 Deaths Previously Confirmed
The latest police action follows confirmation by the Ondo State Government that 29 people had died in connection with the suspected consumption of contaminated alcoholic beverages.
The state Commissioner for Health, Banji Awolowo-Ajaka, had said 60 cases were recorded across several communities.
He disclosed that three affected persons were receiving treatment in hospitals, while another 27 remained under medical observation. He also noted that approximately 95 per cent of those affected were males between 16 and 55 years old.
The affected communities include Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele and Oniparaga.
Victims reportedly exhibited symptoms such as headaches, body pains, weakness, impaired vision, breathing difficulties and altered consciousness. Some of those affected reportedly deteriorated quickly and died within hours.
Police Intensify Crackdown
Following the incident, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, directed officers to intensify enforcement against the production, distribution and sale of unapproved, adulterated or potentially dangerous alcoholic substances.
The police said the investigation remains ongoing, stressing that forensic analysis of the recovered substances and examination of the victims’ remains will be crucial in determining the precise cause of the deaths.
Authorities are expected to use the outcome of the investigations to establish whether methanol-contaminated drinks were responsible for the fatalities and to determine the roles of those arrested.
