The death toll from suspected toxic alcoholic drinks and locally brewed herbal concoctions known as "Monkey Tail" in Ondo State has risen to 49, up from the 38 deaths first reported. Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the updated figures on Wednesday night, September 16, stating that the total number of affected persons, including those hospitalised and those who died, has reached 170.
New Deaths in Irele LGA
Eight of the fresh fatalities occurred in Irele Local Government Area, bringing the crisis beyond Odigbo LGA, where deaths were first reported. Ajaka said response teams had been deployed to Irele and other affected communities to manage cases, carry out surveillance, and trace the origin of the toxic substance.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the poisoning came from a single source or several. "So, all the people that have been affected altogether now is about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died. We are always fast about it wherever and whenever we hear reports of the issue. Our teams are already in Irele as I'm talking to you now," Ajaka said.
Investigation and Interagency Cooperation
Per The Punch, the state government is working with NAFDAC, the NDLEA, the DSS, the Nigeria Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as part of its investigation. The outbreak has also been raised at a national meeting involving state health commissioners and officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). Ajaka said the investigation will continue until the source of the toxic substance is identified.
The Ondo State Police Command announced the arrest of Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as "Meko," who is suspected of producing a herbal liquid substance linked to the health crisis. Fourteen other people were also arrested for allegedly breaking a local government ban on the sale of herbal products.
Police Arrests and Next Steps
State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said in a statement that the command had brought the situation under control through a combination of security, medical, and investigative action. Babatunde is suspected of producing substances containing methanol and is currently cooperating with investigators.
The bodies of those who died are undergoing medical and forensic examination. The police command said it would release further updates as the investigation continues.
