ABUJA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Nigeria's southwestern Ondo State have launched an investigation after more than 20 people died following suspected poisoning from a locally brewed alcoholic beverage, the state government said Thursday.
Banji Ajaka, commissioner for health in Ondo State, told Xinhua that the government ordered an urgent and comprehensive investigation following the reported deaths in Odigbo Local Government Area, several days after victims, mostly youths, allegedly consumed the alcoholic beverage in the Odigbo and Araromi communities last Saturday.
"We want to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause. From our preliminary report, it is alleged to be an ingestion of an alcoholic substance," Ajaka said, adding that the ongoing investigation involved the World Health Organization, Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and other agencies.
A local brewer sold the alcoholic drink to people in the affected communities, according to local sources.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that more than 24 people had died after consuming the alcoholic substance, citing an investigation. Some residents were rushed to local hospitals for treatment.
Some of the deceased were buried immediately by their families, while others were taken to mortuaries. Some victims were still receiving treatment in hospitals, Ajaka added. ■