The Ondo State Police Command says it has arrested 15 suspects, including a suspected producer of substances believed to contain methanol, following the reported sudden and unnatural deaths of about 30 people in the state.
The development followed the arrest of Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as “Meko”, who is suspected of producing substances containing methanol.
The Command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, in a statement issued on Sunday, said Babatunde was assisting investigators, while substances suspected to be methanol had been recovered for forensic examination.
The Police said the examination would determine the exact composition of the substances and establish whether they were linked to the reported deaths.
The Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure, to begin an extensive enforcement operation under relevant provisions of the Liquor Act across Ore and Odigbo.
The operation targeted the sale and consumption of dangerous alcoholic drinks and concoctions and resulted in the arrest of 14 other suspects identified as alleged sellers and consumers.
They are Ayemobola Abayomi, Ebeyilo Oyekan, Fadeyi Folake, Febisola Solomon, Olamojiba Akinyosoye, Julius Ogeichi, Seyifunmi Aduke, Adesanmi Toyin, Oluwoye Amaka, Adeyayi Ojo, Adebayo Olaniyi, Raphael Emeka, Adenuga Oluwaseun and Adediwura Godwin.
The Command said the case had been transferred to the State CID in Akure for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
A team of detectives also visited Araromi-Obu on September 12 to gather additional evidence.
Investigators are examining the source, production, composition, distribution and consumption of the suspected substances, as well as their possible connection to the deaths.
The Police said all 15 suspects remained in custody and would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased are undergoing medical and forensic procedures, with the results of post-mortem examinations expected to provide further evidence on the actual causes of the deaths.
The Police also said health officials had intensified medical interventions, with several youths from the affected community taken to the Odigbo Local Government medical facility for assessment, testing and treatment.
Ohagwu reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and preventing the circulation and consumption of substances capable of endangering public health.
