By Duchess Ifeoluwa
The Ondo State Police Command has commenced investigation into the reported deaths of residents in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area, including Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Orita New Town, amid allegations that the fatalities may be linked to poisoning.
The Command, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said it was working in collaboration with the Ondo State Government and relevant health authorities to establish the actual circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
According to the police, personnel from the Command, including officers from the Police Medical Services, are working with officials of the Ondo State Ministry of Health and the Odigbo Local Government health authorities to gather relevant information and evidence.
It said medical and toxicological examinations were also being conducted to determine whether any particular substance was responsible for the reported fatalities.
The Command, however, cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information or attributing the deaths to any particular substance while the investigation and laboratory analyses were still ongoing.
It said the actual number of casualties and the precise cause of the deaths would be established through the ongoing investigation.
The police appeal followed growing concerns in the affected communities over reports of multiple deaths allegedly associated with the consumption of locally produced alcoholic and herbal preparations.
The Command urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with investigators by providing useful information that could assist in unraveling the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
It also advised residents to refrain from consuming unregulated or suspicious alcoholic and herbal preparations pending the outcome of the investigation.
In the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, assured members of the public that the police were committed to establishing the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
Ohagwu further pledged that appropriate action would be taken against anyone found culpable after the investigation.
The Command said it would continue to liaise with the Ondo State Government and other relevant agencies and provide further updates as credible findings emerge.
