Herbal Drink Tragedy: Police Arrest Suspected Maker of Herbal Drink Linked to 29 Deaths in Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected producer of a herbal drink allegedly linked to the deaths of 29 people in Araromi-Obu and other communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” was arrested amid reports that about 60 other residents were hospitalised after allegedly consuming the herbal products.

The police also arrested 14 other persons for allegedly selling or consuming the drinks despite an order banning their sale and consumption in the affected communities.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the Command had contained the situation following sustained security, medical and investigative interventions.

According to him, Babatunde is suspected of producing substances believed to contain methanol and is currently assisting investigators.

Jimoh said substances suspected to be methanol were recovered from the suspect and submitted for forensic examination to determine their exact composition and establish whether they were linked to the reported deaths.

He said the police had commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, while the bodies of the deceased were undergoing medical and forensic procedures.

The PPRO added that the outcome of ongoing post-mortem examinations would provide further medical evidence on the actual causes of the deaths.

He said health officials had also intensified medical interventions, with several youths from the affected communities taken to the Odigbo Local Government medical facility for assessment, testing and treatment.

The 14 other suspects arrested were identified as 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.

Jimoh said the suspects were arrested at different locations for allegedly selling or consuming the herbal drinks in defiance of the ban.

He disclosed that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure, for discreet and comprehensive investigation.

The police spokesman further revealed that a team of detectives visited Araromi-Obu on September 12, 2026, to gather additional evidence and advance the investigation.

The Command said investigations would continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine the possible connection between the herbal drinks and the reported fatalities.