‘If God saves me, I’ll never drink again’ – Survivor of Ondo herbal drink tragedy

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By Dayo Johnson, AKURE

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A survivor has said he would never drink again if God saves him, just as the death toll from suspected consumption of adulterated herbal drinks in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State continued to rise.

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Meanwhile, the male seller of the toxic drink has allegedly been arrested.

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Fatalities were recorded in Odigbo town, Newtown, Orita, and Araromi-Obu, throwing the affected communities into mourning. Over 30 persons have died while more than 50 others are hospitalized following the consumption of the toxic drink.

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Confirming the incident, Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Adegoroye Taiwo, said: “A suspect alleged to have sold the herbal drink has been arrested and handed over to the police in Akure.”

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He added that further investigation into the source of the substance was ongoing.

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Adegoroye said preliminary findings by medical experts and toxicologists indicated the deaths were linked to consumption of adulterated locally made alcoholic drinks.

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He pointed out that the state government deployed a medical team from Akure after he alerted Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

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According to him, the team includes officials from NAFDAC and the World Health Organisation.

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The Council has banned the sale and consumption of locally made alcohol and directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute violators.

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“Those people that died consumed toxic alcohol. People call it Jeji, Ere, giving it different names,” he explained.

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According to the chairman: “Those drinks that are not approved by NAFDAC, like ogogoro and ethanol, were the primary suspects based on the results of the toxicologists.”

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He noted that while information earlier suggested about 27 deaths and 30 hospitalizations, the medical team would provide official figures.

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Survivor narrates experience

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Meanwhile, narrating his ordeal, a 32-year-old survivor, Shola Adebayo, said he lost his sight after consuming a locally made drink known as “Monkey Tail”.

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Adebayo said he took two shots after a friend brought the drink from Ore. The next day, he could no longer see properly.

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“I took Monkey Tail. On Saturday, I discovered I couldn’t see very well, so I called my sister and I was taken to the hospital. I’m getting better, but I’m praying for my eyes.

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“If God saves me, I swear I will never take any drinks again. Even beer, I won’t take,” the survivor pleaded.

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A relative of some victims, Adebayo Adetayo Adedeji, said the community lost three young men including his cousin and two friends. He identified them as Leo, Bidemi, and Matthew.

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“The death of Bidemi was particularly painful because the young man was not known to be suffering from any illness before he suddenly complained of dizziness and died,” he said.

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Adedeji commended the LG’s ban, saying: “If they had not banned the drinking or selling of alcohol in the local government, by now Odigbo would have been a death depot.”

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The traditional ruler of Odigbo Kingdom, Oba Dr. Rufus Akinrimade, dismissed claims that the deaths were linked to a cultural taboo.

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“At the end of the day, we realised it was caused by taking different alcoholic substances, locally made alcohol. I think the deaths were caused by the intake of alcohol,” the monarch said.

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Oba Akinrimade urged residents, especially youths, to be careful about what they consume and to know the source of substances entering their bodies.

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Health authorities said investigations are ongoing.

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