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The death toll resulting from the consumption of a suspected poisonous alcoholic beverage outbreak in parts of Ondo State has risen to 49, while the number of affected persons has also increased to 170.

Providing an update on the situation in Akure, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, noted that the new cases were recorded in Irele Local Government Area.

He said health authorities were intensifying surveillance, case management and contact tracing to contain the outbreak and identify the source of the poisonous substance.

Ajaka added that medical teams had been deployed to the affected communities to monitor the situation, manage cases and trace the source of the suspected poisonous substance.

He said the state government was also working with security and regulatory agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other relevant agencies.

He disclosed that the matter was discussed at a national meeting involving commissioners for health across the country and officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, where Ondo State’s rapid response in surveillance, case management and tracking was commended.

Ajaka, in an earlier briefing, had disclosed that 29 people had died in connection with the suspected poisoning in Odigbo Local Government Area, with 121 persons affected at that stage.

According to him, the deaths in Odigbo were caused by locally produced alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal substances consumed during two naming ceremonies in the affected communities.

He noted that investigations showed that an individual who was not a member of one of the families hosting a naming ceremony procured the substance and brought it to the event for guests to consume.

The affected communities previously identified in Odigbo Local Government Area include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga.

To end the fatalities, the state government has banned the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal beverages in Odigbo Local Government Area as a precautionary measure.

The police have also arrested a suspect in Araromi-Obu in connection with the production and distribution of the substances, while further investigation is ongoing.

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The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) community has been plunged into deep mourning following the tragic death of Oluwole Oluwaseun, a final-year student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

The incident, which occurred at an off-campus residence within the Damico Area, Ooni Layout, Ile-Ife, is currently under intense police investigation.

According to an official statement released by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the institution was alerted to an emergency involving the student at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

In a swift response, OAU’s Quick Response and Security (QRS) Team mobilized to the scene. They were immediately joined by officers from the Nigeria Police Force ‘A’ Division in Moore, Ile-Ife.

Oluwaseun was rushed to the University Health Centre, where he was tragically certified dead by a medical doctor on duty.

Deeply concerned by the circumstances surrounding the sudden demise, university authorities have handed over all recovered items and relevant information from the scene to the police to aid their investigation.

In the wake of the tragedy, Vice Chancellor Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, classmates, and friends of the deceased. Professor Bamire strongly reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to student welfare, emphasizing that “no student should feel that he or she has to confront overwhelming difficulties alone.”

The university management has strictly urged the campus community to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified rumors or speculations while the police investigation is ongoing.

Furthermore, student affairs authorities have been activated to provide necessary follow-up care, welfare, and emotional support to students affected by the tragedy. The university is strongly encouraging anyone experiencing severe emotional distress, financial pressures, or personal challenges to immediately seek help from trusted individuals or the official counseling structures on campus.

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Baby Jason Anthony Weaver, just one week old, suffered at least 180 dog bites and fatal internal injuries; mother and four other relatives also face charges.

A father in Indiana, United States, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after his newborn son was killed by the family’s pet dog in a devastating attack inside their rural home.

The victim, identified as Jason Anthony Weaver, was only one week old when he was fatally attacked by Chomp, a five-year-old husky and pit bull mix.

According to details reported by the New York Post, the newborn sustained extensive injuries across his head and body, including at least 180 bite wounds.

Medical examinations reportedly revealed severe internal injuries, including brain haemorrhages, rib fractures and tears in his lungs.

The fatal incident occurred in September at the family’s home in rural Markle, Indiana.

Following the baby’s death, the father, mother and four other family members were arrested. Authorities reportedly described the home as being filled with rubbish and insects.

The dog, Chomp, was subsequently euthanised.

The circumstances surrounding the attack led prosecutors to file criminal charges against members of the family, with allegations of neglect forming part of the case against the child’s parents.

Father Accepts Plea Deal, Receives 16-Year Sentence

Jason’s father was initially charged with two counts of neglect and one count of harbouring a non-immunised dog that caused an injury.

As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped the highest-level neglect charge in exchange for a 16-year prison sentence.

The sentence was handed down on Monday.

The case highlights the potential criminal consequences of failing to protect vulnerable children from dangerous conditions, although the precise legal findings and factual basis of the plea agreement depend on the court record.

The baby’s mother, Violet Weaver, is scheduled to appear for a change-of-plea hearing later this month.

Meanwhile, criminal proceedings remain active against the child’s grandparents, Timothy Kinsey, Rita Wickey and Michael Wickey, as well as his uncle, Tony Kinsey.

All four relatives were also charged in connection with the case.

The ongoing proceedings are expected to determine the legal status of the remaining defendants.