Methanol in Ondo concoctions as death toll hits 48 — NAFDAC

… 182 affected, seven suffer blindness, 15 arrested over suspected toxic drinks
By Chioma Obinna

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) on Friday disclosed that the death toll from the consumption of suspected toxic alcoholic and herbal concoctions in parts of Ondo State has risen to 48, with 182 people affected.
The agency also revealed that preliminary laboratory analysis of samples of the suspected concoctions found high concentrations of methanol, a highly toxic substance capable of causing blindness, organ failure, and death.
According to an update report signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the affected communities are in Odigbo Local Government Area, including New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, and Oniparaga.
The incident was particularly pronounced in Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu, where sudden illnesses and deaths were initially reported in early September among residents who had reportedly consumed the suspected locally prepared alcoholic/herbal concoctions.
NAFDAC said the number of affected persons and deaths increased considerably as investigation and surveillance progressed.
“Of the 182 reported cases, 90 persons were admitted and subsequently discharged, six remain hospitalised, while 31 were treated as outpatients.”
According to the agency, five persons became totally blind, while two others suffered partial blindness.
The report stated that the affected persons reportedly presented with symptoms including headache, generalised body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with some cases deteriorating rapidly.
In response to the development, NAFDAC said 15 persons had so far been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated locally produced alcoholic/herbal beverages.
Giving details of its laboratory investigation, the agency said samples of the suspected concoction were subjected to comprehensive laboratory and toxicological examinations to determine their chemical composition and identify potentially toxic substances, adulterants, contaminants or undeclared ingredients.
NAFDAC said 15 unlabeled samples were subjected to toxicological, microbiological, and chemical screening.
It explained that an acute oral toxicity test was conducted using laboratory mice in accordance with its standard operating procedures and relevant OECD guidelines.
The agency said the toxicity tests produced concerning results.
“The acute oral toxicity test results for all samples recorded critically sick mice and approximately 50 percent mortality were recorded in six samples out of the 15 analysed, indicating significant toxic potential of the samples,” NAFDAC stated.
It added that although the critically ill animals recovered after 24 hours, there remained a possibility that those that recovered could die if exposed to a second dose.
NAFDAC further disclosed that chemical screening detected Cannabis indica in 11 samples, while gas chromatography confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol.
According to the agency, methanol is highly toxic and can cause severe poisoning, including blindness, organ failure and death.
The agency, however, stressed that the laboratory findings were preliminary and that further confirmatory analyses were ongoing to quantify the methanol concentration and identify other possible toxic agents.
NAFDAC said: “The combination of high mortality in animal testing and confirmed methanol contamination strongly suggests that the samples pose a serious public health risk.
“However, these findings require further confirmatory analyses. These findings require immediate regulatory intervention to prevent further harm.”
The agency said the incident had become a significant public health concern because of the increasing number of deaths, the number of persons requiring medical attention and the geographical extension of reported cases.
It also said Irele Local Government Area had been identified as another affected area.
NAFDAC said surveillance, case management, investigation and risk-control measures were ongoing, adding that the figures remained subject to continued verification as investigation and surveillance activities continued.
The agency commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones in the incident, saying: “NAFDAC commiserates with the families that lost their loved ones in the unfortunate occurrence. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
The latest situation report, dated September 18, 2026, listed the suspected exposure as locally prepared alcoholic/herbal concoctions, while forensic and toxicological analysis remains ongoing.