Ondo bans sale of unverified alcoholic drinks following deaths in Odigbo
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Ondo State Government has ordered the immediate ban on the sale and distribution of unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances across the state following the reported deaths of about 30 persons in the Odigbo area of the state.
The government said the deaths were reportedly linked to the consumption of unverified alcoholic drinks, prompting the authorities to take urgent measures to prevent further loss of lives and contain the situation from spreading to other parts of the state.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday evening stressing that the directive covered alcoholic drinks and other substances sold in sachets or bottles whose sources and contents could not be verified.
According to him, the decision became necessary to safeguard the lives of residents and prevent a recurrence of the unfortunate incident recorded in Odigbo.
Ajanaku said the Ministry of Health had commenced investigations into the substance suspected to have caused the deaths, adding that scientific officers had been deployed to the affected areas to conduct investigations and determine the exact substance involved.
He stated that the government, under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, was leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, protect residents and prevent further casualties.
The commissioner urged residents to stop purchasing or consuming unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances, particularly products sold in sachets or bottles without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
He also warned sellers and distributors against purchasing, selling or making available for public consumption any substance whose source, content or regulatory status could not be verified.
Ajanaku warned that anyone found violating the directive would face the full wrath of the law, adding that the government had directed security agencies to swiftly act against the distribution and sale of illegal and unapproved products across the state.
The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with relevant authorities by reporting suspicious products and activities, stressing that the protection of lives and the health of the people remained a collective responsibility.
