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 government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, on Saturday, said the ban covers alcoholic products and other substances sold in sachets or bottles whose sources and contents cannot be verified.

The directive, according to the statement, was aimed at preventing further deaths and containing the situation in Odigbo from spreading to other parts of the state.

The State Ministry of Health has commenced investigations into the substance suspected to be responsible for the deaths, with scientific officers deployed to affected communities to identify the substance involved.

The government said Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa had directed relevant authorities to intensify efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and prevent further casualties.

It urged residents to stop buying or consuming unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances, particularly products sold in sachets or bottles without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.

The government also warned sellers and distributors against stocking, selling or making available for public consumption any product whose source, contents or regulatory status could not be verified.

It said anyone found violating the directive would face the full force of the law, adding that security agencies had been mandated to take immediate action against the sale and distribution of illegal and unapproved products across the state.

Residents were further urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious products and activities to the relevant authorities.