By JATS Media

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 15 suspects, including a suspected producer of substances containing methanol, in connection with reported sudden and unnatural deaths involving youths in Araromi-Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The development followed the arrest of Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as “Meko,” who is suspected to be involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol.

The Command, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the suspect was assisting the Police with investigations, while substances suspected to be methanol had been recovered for forensic examination.

The Police said the investigation was aimed at establishing the exact composition of the substances and determining whether they were linked to the reported deaths.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, had directed officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure, to commence an extensive enforcement operation under relevant provisions of the Liquor Act across Ore and Odigbo.

The operation, which targeted the sale and consumption of dangerous alcoholic drinks and concoctions, led to the arrest of 14 suspects comprising alleged sellers and consumers of the drinks at different locations.

The suspects are Ayemobola Abayomi, Ebeyilo Oyekan, Fadeyi Folake, Febisola Solomon, Olamojiba Akinyosoye, Julius Ogeichi, Seyifunmi Aduke, Adesanmi Toyin, Oluwoye Amaka, Adeyayi Ojo, Adebayo Olaniyi, Raphael Emeka, Adenuga Oluwaseun and Adediwura Godwin.

The Command said the case had been transferred to the State CID, Akure, for discreet and comprehensive investigation, adding that a team of detectives visited Araromi-Obu on September 12 to gather further evidence.

It said investigators were examining every relevant lead, including the source, production, composition, distribution and consumption of the suspected substances, as well as their possible connection with the deaths.

The Police said the suspects remained in custody and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, in line with applicable laws.

According to the statement, the bodies of the deceased are undergoing necessary medical and forensic procedures, with the outcome of post-mortem examinations expected to provide further evidence on the actual causes of the deaths.

It added that health officials had intensified medical interventions, with a significant number of youths from the affected community taken to the Odigbo Local Government medical facility for medical assessment, testing and treatment.

The Commissioner of Police reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and preventing the circulation and consumption of substances capable of endangering public health and safety.

He consequently directed sustained enforcement against the production, distribution and sale of unapproved, adulterated or otherwise dangerous alcoholic substances across the state.

The Command advised members of the public to exercise extreme caution and refrain from consuming locally produced, unlabelled or suspicious alcoholic drinks and herbal concoctions, particularly products whose contents, source or safety could not be verified.

It also urged residents to report the production, sale or circulation of suspected harmful substances to the nearest Police station or through the Command’s official communication channels.

The Police said it would continue working with health authorities, regulatory agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and bring anyone found culpable to justice.