Odigbo Local Government Council in Ondo State has intensified its enforcement of the ban on the sale and consumption of locally made alcohol following reports linking the substances to the deaths of over 30 people in the area.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Comrade Olatunji Babatunde, environmental enforcement officers on Thursday raided parts of Ore community and seized different types of locally made alcoholic substances.
The raid followed investigations into the reported deaths, particularly those involving youths, which authorities said had raised concerns over the possible consumption of local alcohol and other substances. The local government had earlier imposed an immediate ban on the sale and consumption of the products as part of efforts to prevent further loss of lives.
Speaking during the deposition of the seized substances at the Odigbo Local Government Secretariat, the Head of the Environmental Enforcement Department, San Akinbiola, said the officers recovered various locally produced alcoholic drinks despite the existing ban.
Akinbiola said the enforcement unit would sustain raids across Ore and other parts of the local government to ensure that the banned substances were neither sold nor circulated. She added that the measures were necessary to enable the authorities to properly investigate the reported deaths.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Akoni (Hon.) Taiwo Adegoroye, described the reported deaths as “pathetic and painful,” stressing that the ban was introduced to prevent further fatalities and uncover the root cause of the incidents.
Adegoroye appealed to youths in the local government to stay away from locally made and unregistered alcoholic substances, describing them as “the hope for a progressive society.” He also warned that anyone found violating the directive would face severe punishment.
The chairman further called on security agencies and other relevant enforcement authorities to support the implementation of the ban and ensure that the flagged substances were removed from circulation across Odigbo Local Government.
