The Ondo State Government has banned the sale and distribution of unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances following the reported deaths of about 30 people in the Odigbo area of the state.
The ban, which takes immediate effect, covers alcoholic products and other substances sold in sachets or bottles whose contents and regulatory status cannot be verified.
The government said the directive was aimed at preventing further deaths and stopping the incident recorded in Odigbo from spreading to other parts of the state.
The state Ministry of Health has also commenced investigations into the substance suspected to have caused the deaths, with scientific officers deployed to the affected communities to determine the exact substance involved.
The government said it was working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify the substance responsible for the casualties.
It urged residents to avoid consuming alcoholic drinks and other substances that do not carry approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
The government also warned sellers and distributors against buying, stocking or selling products whose source, contents or regulatory status could not be established, stressing that violators would face the full weight of the law.
It directed security agencies to clamp down on the sale and distribution of illegal and unapproved products across the state, while urging residents to report suspicious products and activities to the appropriate authorities.
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