The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man suspected of producing a herbal liquid allegedly linked to several deaths in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect was identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko”. Police said substances suspected to contain methanol were recovered from him and sent for forensic analysis.
Earlier reports indicated that 29 residents died while about 60 others were hospitalised after consuming herbal drinks in Araromi-Obu and neighbouring communities.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command had contained the situation while Babatunde was assisting investigators with the ongoing probe.
Police said the investigation is focused on determining the source and composition of the suspected toxic substances and whether they are linked to the reported deaths.
However, the command stressed that methanol poisoning has not been confirmed as the cause of the deaths. Investigators are awaiting medical and forensic findings before reaching a conclusion.
Medical teams are also examining the bodies of the deceased. Authorities expect the examinations to provide additional evidence that could help establish the cause of death and guide the investigation.
The police also arrested 14 other people during enforcement operations in the affected area.
The command accused the suspects of selling or consuming herbal drinks despite a ban imposed by the local government on the products.
The arrested individuals 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.
Police said their arrests followed enforcement of the ban on the sale and consumption of the herbal products.
Meanwhile, health officials have intensified medical intervention in the affected communities.
According to the police, several youths visited the Odigbo Local Government medical facility, where health workers conducted medical assessments and tests before providing treatment where necessary.
Security, medical and investigative agencies are continuing to monitor the situation as authorities work to determine what caused the reported deaths.
The police have transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Akure for further investigation.
Jimoh said detectives visited Araromi-Obu on September 12, 2026, where they gathered additional evidence and continued investigative activities.
The investigation is expected to establish the cause of the deaths and determine whether the suspected methanol-containing substances played any role in the reported fatalities.
