Potentially toxic drinks in Nigeria claim 49 lives — Premium Times Nigeria
Authorities in Nigeria’s Ondo State have reported 49 deaths linked to the consumption of potentially poisonous alcoholic drinks. As Premium Times Nigeria reports, the state Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, said the death toll had risen from 39 reported the previous week.
According to the official, the total number of people affected, including those hospitalised and those who died, had risen from 60 to 170 as of last Friday.
Cases in Irele
Ajaka also reported cases in the Irele Local Government Area, where, according to his data, eight deaths were recorded. He noted that health workers and other relevant services had travelled to locations from which reports of new victims had been received.
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The outbreak began with reports of 24 deaths. Later, the death toll rose to 29, after which state authorities banned the production and sale of unauthorised alcoholic products.
Police investigation
The commissioner named ethanol consumption as the main cause of the crisis. At the same time, Ondo State police detained Oloruntoba Babatunde, known as Meko. He is suspected of producing substances that may contain methanol; according to police, the man is cooperating with the investigation.
Another 14 people were detained for violating the local ban on the sale of herbal products. Earlier, suspected poisoning cases were recorded in the communities of New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita-Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga in the Odigbo Local Government Area.
