The Ondo State Government has sealed some outlets where unapproved herbal products were being sold as part of efforts to curb the distribution of unregistered local gins following the deaths of 29 residents in the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, disclosed this while addressing the government’s response to the deaths linked to the consumption of suspected contaminated herbal drinks.
Ajanaku said the government had also directed sellers of such products to register with the state authorities before they could resume operations.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, who is suspected of producing the herbal liquid allegedly linked to the deaths in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed on Monday that Babatunde was arrested alongside 14 other suspects for allegedly violating a ban imposed by the local government on the sale of herbal products.
The police said the arrests formed part of ongoing efforts to prevent further consumption and distribution of the suspected harmful substances.
It was earlier reported that at least 29 residents of Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities had died, while about 60 others were hospitalised after consuming the suspected killer herbal drinks.
Authorities have continued investigations into the source and composition of the products as efforts intensify to prevent further loss of lives.
The Ondo State Government has sealed some outlets where unapproved herbal products were being sold as part of efforts to curb the distribution of unregistered local gins following the deaths of 29 residents in the state.
“Most of these local gins do not have NAFDAC numbers and are being sold, especially at motor parks.
We have sealed off some of the places where these things are being sold, and we have also ensured that those selling will have to come back and register with the Ondo state… pic.twitter.com/dNOwi7slEB
— Channels Television (@channelstv) September 14, 2026
