The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected producer of substances believed to contain methanol following a series of sudden deaths among youths in Araromi-Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” was arrested in connection with the production of the suspected methanol-containing substances and is assisting detectives with the investigation.
The police said substances suspected to be methanol were recovered from the suspect and have been submitted for forensic examination to establish their composition and determine whether they are connected to the reported deaths.
The development followed reports of sudden and unexplained deaths in the community, prompting medical, security and investigative interventions by the authorities.
The command said the bodies of the deceased were undergoing medical and forensic procedures, including post-mortem examinations, to establish the actual causes of death.
It added that health officials had intensified medical intervention in the affected community, with several youths taken to the Odigbo Local Government medical facility for assessment, testing and treatment.
Meanwhile, 14 persons suspected of selling or consuming dangerous alcoholic drinks and concoctions have been arrested in a separate enforcement operation conducted in Ore and Odigbo under relevant provisions of the Liquor Act.
The operation was carried out by officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure, following reports linking consumption of suspected dangerous alcoholic products with the sudden deaths.
The command said the case had been transferred to the State CID for discreet investigation, while detectives visited Araromi-Obu on September 12 to gather additional evidence and establish the source, production, distribution and consumption of the substances.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command was investigating every lead, stressing that the suspected connection between the substances and the deaths would be established through medical and forensic findings.
He said the suspects would remain in custody and be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, directed sustained enforcement against the production, distribution and sale of unapproved, adulterated or potentially dangerous alcoholic substances across the state.
The command also warned residents against consuming unlabelled or suspicious alcoholic drinks and herbal concoctions, urging anyone with information about the production or sale of potentially harmful substances to report to the police.