The Ondo State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the reported deaths of some residents of Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Orita New Town communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The development follows reports that some residents died over the weekend while others were hospitalised after allegedly consuming suspected contaminated substances.
Reports had suggested that about 24 residents died in the incidents.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, clarified in a statement on Wednesday that the Command was yet to establish the actual number of casualties or the precise cause of the deaths.
The statement said police personnel, including officers from the Police Medical Services, were working with officials of the Ondo State Ministry of Health and health authorities in Odigbo Local Government Area to gather relevant information and evidence.
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It added that medical and toxicological examinations were being conducted to determine whether any substance was responsible for the fatalities.
The Command also cautioned the public against spreading unverified information or attributing the deaths to any particular substance while the investigation and laboratory analyses were ongoing.
It said the actual number of casualties and the cause of the deaths would be established through the investigation.
The police urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with investigators by providing information that could assist the probe.
The Command also advised members of the public to avoid consuming unregulated or suspicious alcoholic and herbal preparations pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Felix Ohagwu, assured residents that the Command would get to the root of the incident and prosecute anyone found culpable.
The CP said the Command was “committed to unravelling the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incidents and will take appropriate action against anyone found culpable.”
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