Following the reported death of about 30 people in the Odigbo area of Ondo State allegedly linked to the consumption of unverified alcohol, the Ondo State Government has ordered a total ban on the sale and distribution of unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances, whether in sachets or bottles, across the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, made the decision known in a statemen made available to journalists on Saturday in Akure, the state capital.

The state government said the decision became imperative to prevent further loss of lives and contain the spread of the unfortunate incident to other parts of the state.

Ajanaku said the State Ministry of Health had commenced proactive measures to determine the substance responsible for the reported deaths by deploying its scientific officers to the affected communities to investigate and identify the suspected product.

He said the government, under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, was leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to unravel the cause of the incident and prevent further casualties.

The Commissioner urged residents to desist from purchasing or consuming unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances, whether in sachets or bottles, particularly products without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

He also warned sellers and distributors against purchasing or making available for public consumption substances whose safety and regulatory status cannot be verified.

Ajanaku said anyone found culpable of violating the government’s directive would face the full wrath of the law.

He added that the state government had directed security agencies to swiftly swing into action against distributors and sellers of illegal and unapproved products across the state.

The government therefore called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious products or activities to the appropriate authorities as part of collective efforts to safeguard public health and prevent further loss of lives.