The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected producer of methanol following the mysterious deaths of youths in Araromi-Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko”, was arrested following reports of sudden deaths allegedly linked to the consumption of alcoholic drinks and herbal concoctions.
Police spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said substances suspected to contain methanol were recovered from the suspect and had been sent for forensic examination to determine their composition and establish whether they were connected to the deaths.
According to him, the suspect is believed to have been producing substances containing methanol and is assisting the police with their investigation.
Jimoh said the situation had been brought under control through coordinated security, medical and investigative interventions.
He added that post-mortem examinations and forensic tests were ongoing to establish the actual cause of the deaths.
The police spokesperson said several youths had also been taken to the Odigbo Local Government medical facility for medical assessment, testing and treatment.
Meanwhile, 14 people suspected of selling or consuming the alcoholic drinks and herbal concoctions were arrested in Ore and Odigbo during an enforcement operation conducted by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure.
The case has been transferred to the State CID for further investigation, with detectives examining the source, production, composition, distribution and consumption of the substances and their possible connection with the deaths.
The suspects remain in custody and are expected to be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
The Ondo State Government had earlier confirmed that the death toll had risen to 29, with 60 cases recorded. It said three people were receiving treatment, while 27 others remained under medical observation.
The police urged residents to avoid consuming unlabelled or suspicious alcoholic drinks and herbal concoctions whose contents and safety cannot be verified.
The Command also advised members of the public to report suspicious substances or activities to the relevant authorities to prevent further loss of lives.
