The Ondo State Government has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths in Odigbo Local Government Area, assuring residents that every necessary step is being taken to establish the cause of the incident and prevent further loss of lives.
The government has consequently activated relevant health, regulatory and security authorities to undertake a thorough investigation, including medical and toxicological assessments, with a view to determining the exact circumstances that led to the deaths.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Olufemi Lawson, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said the government was deeply concerned by the incident and would not leave any stone unturned in its determination to protect the lives and wellbeing of residents.
Lawson stressed that although preliminary reports have linked the incident to the consumption of locally produced alcoholic beverages and herbal concoctions, no cause should be regarded as established until the ongoing scientific and medical investigations are concluded.
He explained that investigators would examine all possible factors, including the source and production process of the beverages, possible contamination or adulteration, storage conditions, distribution channels and other circumstances surrounding the substances consumed by the affected persons.
The Governor’s aide specifically highlighted the danger of methanol contamination, particularly in improperly distilled alcoholic beverages, noting that methanol is a highly toxic substance that can cause severe poisoning, blindness, neurological damage, organ failure and death.
He, however, cautioned against prematurely attributing the Odigbo deaths to methanol poisoning, emphasising that only competent medical and toxicological investigations can establish whether methanol or any other substance was responsible.
GOVERNMENT WARNS RESIDENTS
The state government has therefore directed residents of Odigbo and neighbouring communities to exercise the highest level of caution and immediately avoid consuming alcoholic beverages or herbal preparations whose source, ingredients and production processes cannot be verified.
Residents who may have consumed suspicious alcoholic or herbal substances and subsequently experience symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, confusion, blurred vision, unusual weakness, difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness are strongly advised to seek urgent medical attention without delay.
Lawson also called on public and private health facilities across the state, particularly those serving communities in the Southern Senatorial District, to maintain heightened surveillance for suspected poisoning cases and promptly report unusual illnesses or clusters of similar symptoms to the appropriate authorities.
MASSIVE PUBLIC AWARENESS REQUIRED
The government further called for an immediate and coordinated grassroots awareness campaign involving traditional rulers, community leaders, religious organisations, market associations, youth organisations, health workers and civil society groups.
According to Lawson, effective public enlightenment is critical because symptoms associated with toxic alcohol poisoning may initially appear similar to common illnesses, potentially resulting in delayed treatment and avoidable fatalities.
He said the government was also determined to identify the individuals or entities responsible for the production and distribution of any substance ultimately established to have caused the deaths.
Investigators, he noted, would determine whether the incident resulted from negligence, improper production, contamination, deliberate adulteration, illegal distribution or any other form of wrongdoing.
GOVERNMENT PROMISES ACCOUNTABILITY
The government assured the people of Ondo State that the matter would not be swept under the carpet.
Lawson stated that any individual or organisation found culpable after due investigation would be made to face the full weight of the law.
He said Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa remained unwavering in his commitment to protecting the lives, health and welfare of the people and had directed that all necessary government machinery be deployed to address the situation.
The government consequently appealed to members of the public to remain calm and resist the temptation to circulate unverified claims, rumours or information capable of creating unnecessary panic or obstructing the investigation.
“The safety and welfare of the people remain paramount to Governor Aiyedatiwa. Government has swung into action, and every necessary avenue will be explored to establish what happened, identify those responsible where wrongdoing is established, and protect our people from further harm,” Lawson said.
He reiterated that the immediate priorities of government are to prevent further deaths, establish the actual cause of the incident, provide appropriate medical and public-health responses, ensure accountability where necessary, and strengthen safeguards against a recurrence.
Signed:
Comrade Olufemi Akindele Lawson
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment
Ondo State Government