AKURE, Nigeria — The Ondo State Police Command has arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” for allegedly producing a lethal herbal liquid substance responsible for the deaths of at least 29 residents across the Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area.
The tragic incident has also left approximately 60 other residents hospitalised, prompting an emergency health response and a sweeping law enforcement crackdown across the affected district.
Methanol Traces Discovered as Police Contain Crisis
In an official statement released on Monday, September 14, 2026, Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abayomi Jimoh confirmed that sustained medical and investigative interventions have helped contain the immediate crisis surrounding the sudden, unnatural deaths of young people in the area.
Detectives seized large quantities of substances suspected to contain methanol during the raid on Babatunde’s facility, submitting samples for urgent laboratory analysis and forensic evaluation to confirm their direct link to the fatalities.
“The development follows the arrest of one Oloruntoba Babatunde, a.k.a. ‘Meko,’ who is suspected to be involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol and is currently assisting the police with investigations.” — DSP Abayomi Jimoh, Ondo PPRO
Health authorities have intensified clinical screening at local medical facilities in Odigbo, conducting emergency testing and triage for dozens of community members who consumed the concoctions.
Crackdown on Banned Herbal Vendors
Following a total ban imposed by the Odigbo Local Government authority on the sale and distribution of unregulated herbal beverages, police officers arrested 14 additional suspects caught selling or consuming the products at various market stalls.
The 14 vendors and individuals transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Akure include:
- Ayemobola Abayomi, Ebeyilo Oyekan, Fadeyi Folake, and Febisola Solomon
- Olamojiba Akinyosoye, Julius Ogeichi, Seyifunmi Aduke, and Adesanmi Toyin
- Oluwoye Amaka, Adeyayi Ojo, Adebayo Olaniyi, and Raphael Emeka
- Adenuga Oluwaseun and Adediwura Godwin
The PPRO noted that a specialized team of detectives visited Araromi-Obu on September 12, 2026, to expand evidence collection, while post-mortem examinations continue on the deceased to compile conclusive medical reports for upcoming court prosecutions.
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