AKURE — The Ondo State Government has officially clamped down on the informal liquor trade. An immediate, statewide ban on the sale and distribution of all unverified alcoholic drinks and unregulated herbal substances has been declared following a catastrophic health crisis that claimed dozens of local lives.
Tripod Times reports that the swift executive order follows a tragedy in Odigbo Local Government Area, where a suspected toxic batch of a locally brewed herbal gin—popularly referred to by locals as “Monkey Tail”—left a trail of devastation.
At least 30 people have been confirmed dead across Odigbo town, Newtown, Orita, and Araromi-Obu communities after consuming the lethal mixture, while 50 others remain critically ill and hospitalized.
Reports gathered by Tripod Times indicate that the victims began consuming the local herbal liquid substance earlier this month. Within hours, several individuals reportedly became unconscious before dying in separate locations, triggering intense panic and mourning among community members.
Medical personnel and laboratory teams are working against the clock to conduct toxicological examinations and isolate the exact chemical agent responsible for the mass poisoning.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, stated that the sweeping ban applies strictly to any alcoholic drinks, bitters, or herbal mixtures sold in sachets, bottles, or loose dispensers whose sources and regulatory approvals cannot be verified.
“Under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the government is leaving no stone unturned to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragedy,” Ajanaku declared.
“We urge all residents to immediately stop purchasing or consuming unverified alcoholic drinks, particularly products without clear NAFDAC registration numbers.
Security agencies have been heavily mandated to enforce compliance and arrest anyone distributing these hazardous mixtures.”
This public health emergency in Ondo mirrors a worrying trend across the Southwest region. Just recently, neighboring Ogun State recorded similar local gin casualties in Odogbolu and Ijebu North-East, highlighting a severe, widespread risk associated with unregistered local brews and adulterated herbal bitters.
As security operatives prepare for a massive enforcement sweep across drinking joints, local bars, and open markets, public health advocates are calling on grassroots leaders to actively educate community youth on the mortal danger of cheap, unvetted chemical mixtures.
