The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man suspected of producing alcoholic concoctions that may have contained methanol, following the deaths of 29 people in Odigbo Local Government Area.
The suspect, identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as “Meko”, is assisting investigators, according to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh.
Police also arrested 14 other people alleged to be sellers and consumers of the drinks and concoctions during enforcement operations in Ore and other parts of the affected area.
The arrests followed reports of sudden deaths among residents of Araromi-Obu, Orita Odigbo, Newtown, Odole, Okele and Oniparaga communities. Jimoh said substances suspected to contain methanol were recovered from the alleged producer and submitted for forensic examination.
The tests are expected to establish the precise composition of the substances and determine whether they were linked to the deaths. The police have not yet confirmed that methanol caused the deaths.
“The recovered substances have been subjected to further investigation and necessary forensic examination to establish their exact composition and determine any possible link to the reported deaths,” Jimoh said.
The bodies of the deceased are also undergoing medical and forensic procedures. The results are expected to provide further evidence regarding the actual cause of death.
The Ondo State Government has reported 60 suspected cases linked to the consumption of contaminated alcoholic beverages in the affected communities.
The Commissioner for Health, Banji Awolowo-Ajaka, said 29 people had died, three were receiving treatment in hospitals and 27 others remained under medical observation. About 95 per cent of those affected were male, with ages ranging from 16 to 55, according to the commissioner.
The reported symptoms include headache, body pain, general weakness, visual disturbance, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness. Some patients reportedly deteriorated rapidly and died within hours.
The figures remain subject to medical verification and may change as investigations continue.
The arrests were carried out by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department as the police stepped up enforcement against the production, distribution and sale of unapproved, adulterated or potentially dangerous alcoholic substances.
The Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, directed sustained action against the production and circulation of the drinks across the state.
Police have not released details of the specific offences for which each of the 14 other suspects is being investigated. Their alleged involvement remains subject to further inquiry.
The command is expected to establish the supply chain, identify other producers or distributors and determine whether the drinks were supplied at social events or sold through commercial outlets.
The Ondo State Government has banned the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal beverages in Odigbo Local Government Area as a precautionary measure.
Health and security authorities are working with relevant agencies to trace the source of the substances, treat affected persons and prevent further exposure.
The investigation also involves medical and laboratory authorities, who will determine whether the suspected drinks contained methanol or another toxic substance.
Methanol exposure can cause serious illness, including visual impairment, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness and death. However, only laboratory and medical findings can establish whether it was responsible in this case.
The police urged residents to avoid locally produced, unlabelled or suspicious alcoholic drinks and to report any further suspected cases.
The arrested suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
