Ondo Police Apprehend Suspect in Deadly Herbal Drink Incidents

Authorities in Ondo State, specifically the Police Command, have taken into custody one Oloruntoba Babatunde, identified as the individual suspected of manufacturing a potent herbal liquid that has reportedly led to numerous fatalities across Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities within the Odigbo Local Government Area. Earlier reports indicated that at least 29 residents from these areas lost their lives, while approximately 60 others were hospitalised after consuming the lethal concoction.

DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the Public Relations Officer for the state police command, confirmed Babatunde's arrest in a statement released on Monday. He also disclosed that 14 additional suspects were detained for breaching the local government's prohibition on the sale of herbal products. The command has initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding these deaths, with post-mortem and forensic examinations currently underway for the deceased.

According to the statement, "The Ondo State Police Command has contained the situation arising from reported cases of sudden and unnatural deaths involving youths in Araromi-Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, following sustained security, medical and investigative interventions." It further elaborated, "The development follows the arrest of one Oloruntoba Babatunde, a.k.a. ‘Meko,’ who is suspected to be involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol and is currently assisting the police with investigations."

Additionally, the police stated that "Substances suspected to be methanol were also recovered and have been subjected to further investigation and necessary forensic examination to establish their exact composition and determine any possible link to the reported deaths." The statement reiterated, "The command has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, while the bodies of the deceased are undergoing the necessary medical and forensic procedures."

DSP Jimoh noted that the findings from the ongoing post-mortem examinations "is expected to provide further medical evidence regarding the actual causes of the deaths." He added that health officials have scaled up medical interventions, facilitating the transfer of numerous youths from the affected communities to the Odigbo Local Government medical facility for comprehensive assessment, testing, and treatment.

Regarding the other 14 individuals, the police spokesperson explained they were apprehended for engaging in the sale and consumption of herbal drinks in various locations, directly contravening the existing ban. The names of these suspects include 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 case has been transferred to the State CID, Akure, for discreet and comprehensive investigation," the PPRO confirmed. He also mentioned that a team of detectives visited Araromi-Obu on September 12, 2026, to advance investigative activities and collect further evidence.