No fewer than 24 people have reportedly died in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State following a suspected poisoning incident.
According to reports, the mass deaths, which reportedly occurred over the weekend, have triggered panic in affected communities
The state government is said to be investigating reports that the victims may have consumed sachet herbal concoctions suspected to contain a poisonous substance.
The state commissioner for health, Banji Ajaka, who confirmed the incident, said health officials were working to establish the exact cause of the deaths.
Ajaka, however, declined to identify the substance allegedly responsible, stressing that further medical assessments were required before any definitive conclusion could be reached.
He said the state government was taking the development seriously and would release more information as investigations progress.
Taiwo Adegoroye, chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, who also confirmed the incident, said he could not provide further details until medical experts had visited the affected communities and conducted a professional assessment.
As a precaution, the local government has reportedly moved to restrict the consumption and sale of sachet herbal concoctions and similar drinks being hawked in the affected areas.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and avoid consuming suspicious herbal preparations or unverified sachet products until authorities conclude their investigation and determine what caused the deaths.
