By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as “Meko,” over the production of a herbal drink suspected to have caused the deaths of 29 residents in Odigbo Local Government Area.
The police said about 60 other residents were hospitalised after consuming the suspected herbal drinks in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities.
Police spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, says Babatunde has been arrested over allegedly producing substances suspected to contain methanol.
According to the police, substances suspected to be methanol have been recovered and sent for forensic examination to determine their composition and establish any link to the reported deaths.
The command said post-mortem examinations are also being conducted on the victims to determine the actual cause of death, while health officials continue to provide medical care to affected residents.
The police have also arrested 14 people accused of selling or consuming herbal drinks despite a ban imposed by the local government.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Akure for further investigation, with detectives also visiting Araromi-Obu to gather additional evidence.
