The Ogun State government has confirmed the death of eight persons following consumption of locally-produced alcoholic drinks in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Timi Coker, who confirmed the incidents in a statement on Sunday in Abeokuta, said 11 others are in critical condition in hospitals across the state after taking the drinks.
She warned the people of the state to be wary of the serious risks associated with the consumption of locally- brewed alcoholic drinks and other products not approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
According to her, the incidents occurred between July 18 and 20 in Ijebu-North-East and Odogbolu local government areas of the state.
The governor’s aide added that the state’s Ministry of Health had initiated a thorough investigation into the source and nature of the products.
The statement read: “It is of utmost importance to only consume products that have been officially approved and certified by NAFDAC.
“The unauthorised production and distribution of alcoholic beverages and other consumable items pose significant health risks as they are often manufactured in unregulated and unhygienic conditions, making them potential breeding grounds for harmful substances and toxins.
“Such substances can lead to severe health complications and, in some cases, fatal outcomes, as evidenced by the recent incidents in Ijebu-North East and Odogbolu LGAs.
“We hereby urge the public to report any suspicious locally brewed alcoholic drink to the appropriate authorities or NAFDAC.”
Earlier, Six persons were said to have died after drinking local gin allegedly served by a friend in Ogbogbo community, Ijebu-North East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The incident, it was gathered, occurred on Tuesday, at a joint where seven friends had gathered for merry-making.
It was learnt that all the six persons who drank the alcohol died, except the man who supplied the drink from his house and did not drink from it.
Locals disclosed that the six dead persons and the suspect had earlier engaged in an argument, which was later settled.
To reconcile with his friends, the suspect reportedly donated the local gin, a bottle of which he reportedly went home to fetch.
Few hours after they had the friends had departed to their various destinations, news filtered in that two of the friends died while four others were hospitalised.
The source added that “the other four persons died the following day. Six people have been confirmed dead. The whereabouts of the man who brought the alcohol is yet to be known.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Omolola Odutola confirmed the incident.
“I just confirmed something like that occurred, but the families said they are not pressing charges and prefer to bury their dead,” she stated.
