The death toll from the consumption of a suspected poisonous herbal drink in Ondo State has risen to 49, while about 170 people have reportedly been affected by the health crisis.

The incident, initially recorded in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, has now spread to Irele Local Government Area, where eight deaths have been reported.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the development, saying the number of affected persons included those who had been admitted and those who had died.

“As we are now, Irele is where we have a serious issue. Our people were there and many people have died. About eight people have been recorded to have died as of last night,” Ajaka said.

He added that the total number of affected persons across the areas had risen to about 170, attributing the crisis to the consumption of ethanol by victims. The commissioner said medical and health officials had been deployed to Irele and other affected communities to contain the situation.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” over the production of a herbal liquid substance suspected to be linked to the deaths.

The command also announced the arrest of 14 other persons for allegedly violating a local government ban on the sale of herbal products.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said Babatunde was suspected of producing substances that may contain methanol and was assisting investigators.

The command said the bodies of the deceased were undergoing necessary medical and forensic procedures, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths continued.