Ondo Police Arrest Suspected Methanol Producer, 14 Others Over Araromi-Obu Drink-Related Deaths

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected producer of alcoholic substances and 14 others in connection with reported sudden and unexplained deaths involving youths in Araromi-Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The Command, in a statement, said the situation had been contained following sustained security, medical and investigative interventions.

The Police identified the principal suspect as Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as “Meko,” who was allegedly involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol.

According to the Command, substances suspected to be methanol were recovered from the suspect and have been subjected to further investigation and forensic examination to determine their exact composition and establish whether they are linked to the reported deaths.

The Police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths were ongoing, while the bodies of the deceased were undergoing necessary medical and forensic procedures.

It added that post-mortem examinations would provide further medical evidence to determine the actual causes of the deaths.
Meanwhile, health officials have intensified medical intervention in the affected community, with a significant number of youths taken to the Odigbo Local Government medical facility for medical assessment, testing and treatment.

Following the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID), Akure, also commenced an enforcement operation under relevant provisions of the Liquor Act.

The operation, which was conducted across Ore and Odigbo, targeted the sale and consumption of dangerous and potentially life-threatening alcoholic drinks and concoctions following reports of sudden deaths allegedly associated with their consumption.

Fourteen suspects, comprising alleged sellers and consumers of the drinks and concoctions, were arrested at different locations during the operation.

Those arrested were 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 case has since been transferred to the State CID, Akure, for discreet and comprehensive investigation.

The Command also disclosed that a team of detectives visited Araromi-Obu on September 12, 2026, to gather further evidence and advance the investigation.
The Police said investigators were examining all relevant leads, including the source, production, composition, distribution and consumption of the suspected substances, as well as their possible connection to the reported deaths.
The suspects remain in Police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations and in accordance with applicable laws.

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

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

The Command urged residents to exercise extreme caution and avoid consuming locally produced, unlabelled or suspicious alcoholic drinks and herbal concoctions, particularly products whose contents, source or safety cannot be verified.
Residents were also encouraged to report the production, sale or circulation of suspected harmful substances to the nearest Police station or through the official communication channels of the Command.