The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man suspected of producing a herbal liquid believed to be linked to the deaths of several residents in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as “Meko,” was arrested after reports that at least 29 people had died while about 60 others were hospitalised after allegedly consuming the herbal drinks.

The Command also arrested 14 other persons for allegedly selling and consuming herbal products in violation of an order banning the sale and consumption of the drinks in the affected communities.

“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.

“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.”

In a statement issued today, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the Command had contained the situation following sustained security, medical and investigative interventions. Jimoh said Babatunde was suspected of producing substances believed to contain methanol and was currently assisting the police with the investigation.

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