Nigeria: Ondo Tragedy - Police Arrest Suspect Over Poisonous Drinks That Allegedly Killed 29 People

What the report says

Police in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria, say they have arrested a suspect linked to poisonous drinks that allegedly caused a mass fatality in Araromi-Obu, in Odigbo Local Government Area. The suspect, identified as Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as “Meko,” is being questioned as investigators examine the source, production and composition of the drinks. The police said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Akure for a fuller probe.

According to the report published by Premium Times and distributed by AllAfrica, the incident has been associated with 29 deaths, while several other people remain hospitalized. Police also said they recovered substances suspected to be methanol, which are now undergoing forensic testing. In addition, officers carried out enforcement operations in Ore and Odigbo and arrested 14 other people described as sellers or consumers of the drinks and concoctions.

Health officials in the state said the affected cases were first identified in early September 2026, with later reports from Araromi-Obu and nearby settlements. The Ondo State Ministry of Health said 60 suspected cases are being tracked, with three people still admitted and others under observation. Officials emphasized that laboratory confirmation is still pending, so the deaths remain classified as suspected toxic exposure rather than a confirmed cause. The case highlights continuing public-health concerns around unregulated alcoholic drinks and other unsafe concoctions.