14 Others Arrested as Police Recover Suspected Methanol Substances in Odigbo
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspect allegedly involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol, following the sudden deaths of about 30 residents in Odigbo Local Government Area.
The police also arrested 14 other suspects, comprising alleged sellers and consumers of the drinks and concoctions in different communities.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the main suspect is assisting investigators.
According to him, substances suspected to contain methanol were recovered and subjected to forensic examination to determine their composition and establish any possible link to the reported deaths.
Jimoh added that the bodies of the deceased were undergoing medical and forensic procedures to determine the actual cause of death.
The development follows the Ondo State Government’s confirmation on Friday that 29 people had died from suspected consumption of contaminated alcoholic beverages in Araromi-Obu and other communities in Odigbo.
The Commissioner for Health, Banji Awolowo-Ajaka, said 60 cases had been recorded, with three people hospitalised and 27 others under medical observation.
He said about 95 per cent of those affected were males aged between 16 and 55, with cases reported in Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele and Oniparaga.
Reported symptoms included headache, body pain, weakness, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness, with some victims reportedly deteriorating rapidly and dying within hours.
The Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, has directed sustained enforcement against the production, distribution and sale of unapproved, adulterated or potentially dangerous alcoholic substances across the state.