The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has confirmed 48 deaths and 182 cases of severe illness following the reported consumption of locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions in parts of Ondo State.
The agency’s latest update has raised the alarm over a serious public-health incident affecting several communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, with cases also reported in Irele Local Government Area.
NAFDAC said the affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, while Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu recorded the highest impact.
The incident was first reported in early September 2026 after residents who had reportedly consumed the suspected locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions began developing sudden and severe illnesses.
As investigations continued and additional cases were identified, the initial death figure of 31 increased to 48.
NAFDAC said the figures remain subject to continued verification as surveillance and investigations continue.
48 Deaths Confirmed As Investigation Expands
According to an update signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, 182 cases had been recorded as of September 17, 2026, with 48 confirmed deaths.
The agency said the initial reports indicated that 31 people had died, comprising 20 deaths in Odigbo Town and 11 in Araromi-Obu.
However, the number increased significantly as health officials and investigators expanded surveillance and identified additional affected persons.
Of the 182 recorded cases, NAFDAC said 90 people were admitted to hospitals and subsequently discharged, while 31 were treated as outpatients.
Six people remained hospitalised at the time of the report.
The incident has also resulted in severe and potentially permanent complications.
NAFDAC reported that five people became totally blind, while two others suffered partial blindness.
That means at least seven victims have experienced serious vision loss associated with the outbreak.
Methanol Found In Suspected Drinks
One of the most significant findings from NAFDAC’s preliminary laboratory investigation is the detection of high concentrations of methanol in samples of the suspected concoctions.
Methanol is a highly toxic form of alcohol that can cause severe poisoning when ingested.
Depending on the quantity consumed, methanol poisoning can result in visual impairment or blindness, metabolic disturbances, neurological damage, organ failure and death.
NAFDAC said its laboratory investigation involved comprehensive toxicological, microbiological and chemical screening of samples collected from the affected communities.
The agency subjected 15 unlabeled samples to testing.
Gas chromatography was used to examine the chemical composition of the samples, and the analysis confirmed high concentrations of methanol.
NAFDAC stressed, however, that the findings remain preliminary and that additional confirmatory testing is being conducted to determine the precise concentration of methanol and identify any other potentially toxic substances.
The agency said the combination of the laboratory findings and the high number of deaths represents a serious public-health threat requiring immediate regulatory intervention.
Seven Victims Suffered Vision Loss
The loss of sight among victims is one of the most alarming consequences reported so far.
NAFDAC said five people had become totally blind, while two others experienced partial blindness.
Visual disturbances are among the recognised symptoms associated with serious methanol poisoning.
The agency also reported that affected individuals experienced symptoms including:
- Headaches
- Generalised weakness
- Body pain
- Visual disturbances
- Difficulty breathing
- Altered consciousness
Some victims reportedly deteriorated rapidly after developing symptoms.
The severity of the symptoms and the speed at which some patients became critically ill contributed to the urgency of the investigation.
Laboratory Tests Also Detected Cannabis Indica
NAFDAC’s investigation produced another notable finding.
The agency said 11 of the 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica during chemical screening.
The presence of Cannabis indica was detected alongside the high concentrations of methanol.
However, NAFDAC has not said that Cannabis indica was responsible for the deaths.
The agency’s current findings specifically point to the high methanol concentrations as a major toxicological concern, while further analysis continues to establish the complete composition of the suspected concoctions.
This distinction is important because the laboratory investigation is still ongoing.
The presence of more than one substance in a sample does not automatically establish that every detected substance caused the illnesses or deaths.
Toxicity Tests Produced Concerning Results
NAFDAC also conducted acute oral toxicity testing on the samples using laboratory mice.
The testing was carried out according to the agency’s standard operating procedures and relevant Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines.
The results raised additional concerns.
According to NAFDAC, all the samples produced critically sick laboratory animals during the testing process.
Approximately 50 percent mortality was recorded in six of the 15 samples tested.
Although some of the animals that survived the initial exposure recovered after 24 hours, NAFDAC said there remained a possibility of death if they were exposed to a second dose.
The findings reinforced the agency’s concern about the potentially dangerous nature of the suspected concoctions.
Where Did The Incident Occur?
The largest concentration of reported cases has been in Odigbo Local Government Area.
The communities identified by NAFDAC include:
- New Town
- Odole
- Okele
- Orita Odigbo
- Araromi-Obu
- Oniparaga
Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu were identified as the locations with the most pronounced impact.
NAFDAC also listed Irele Local Government Area as another affected area.
The geographical expansion of reported cases has added to concerns that the incident could be wider than initially believed.
Health and regulatory authorities are therefore continuing surveillance to identify additional cases and determine the full extent of the outbreak.
15 People Arrested
As part of the response to the incident, authorities have arrested 15 people in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated locally prepared alcoholic and herbal beverages.
The arrests form part of an investigation into how the suspected toxic drinks were produced and distributed.
The identity and precise roles of all those arrested have not been fully established publicly, and the allegations against them remain subject to investigation and due legal process.
The arrests are significant because investigators will need to establish where the drinks originated, who manufactured them, what ingredients were used and how they reached consumers.
How The Incident Was First Detected
The outbreak was first reported in early September after residents in affected communities began falling seriously ill and dying.
According to NAFDAC, several of those affected had reportedly consumed locally prepared alcoholic or herbal concoctions.
Initial reports suggested 31 deaths.
The figure subsequently increased as more cases were discovered and surveillance activities expanded.
The rapid increase prompted NAFDAC and other relevant health authorities to intensify investigations and risk-control measures.
The agency has continued collecting samples and monitoring affected communities.
Why Methanol Is So Dangerous
Methanol is different from the ethanol found in properly produced alcoholic beverages.
Although both are forms of alcohol, methanol is highly toxic to humans.
Once consumed, methanol can be metabolised into substances that cause severe metabolic disturbances and damage to organs, particularly the optic nerves and central nervous system.
One of the classic warning signs of significant methanol poisoning is visual disturbance, which can progress to permanent blindness.
Severe poisoning can ultimately result in organ failure and death.
This explains why the discovery of high methanol concentrations in samples associated with the Ondo outbreak has become such a major concern for health authorities.
Locally Produced Alcohol Under Scrutiny
The Ondo incident has also renewed attention on the safety of locally produced alcoholic beverages and herbal concoctions.
Locally made alcoholic drinks are consumed in different parts of Nigeria, particularly in communities where they may be cheaper or more accessible than commercially manufactured products.
However, when production occurs outside regulated manufacturing environments, authorities can face challenges in verifying the ingredients, concentration and safety of the final product.
Contamination or accidental inclusion of toxic substances can have devastating consequences.
The current Ondo investigation therefore goes beyond the individual drinks involved.
It also highlights the wider public-health risks associated with unregulated or improperly prepared alcoholic and herbal products.
NAFDAC Calls For Immediate Regulatory Action
NAFDAC has described the situation as a significant public-health concern because of the increasing number of deaths, the number of people requiring medical treatment and the geographical spread of reported cases.
The agency said surveillance, case management, investigation and risk-control measures remain ongoing.
It has also stressed the need for immediate intervention to prevent further exposure.
The investigation is being conducted in collaboration with relevant public-health authorities.
Authorities are expected to continue tracing the source of the suspected concoctions while identifying individuals and locations connected with their production and distribution.
Government Response And Public Safety
The scale of the incident has placed additional pressure on health and regulatory authorities to prevent further consumption of the suspected products.
Consumers are particularly vulnerable when alcoholic or herbal concoctions are sold without clear labelling, ingredient information or reliable regulatory oversight.
The latest findings underline why consumers should exercise extreme caution around drinks whose contents, manufacturing conditions or regulatory status cannot be verified.
The investigation also demonstrates the importance of seeking urgent medical attention when symptoms such as visual disturbances, breathing difficulties, altered consciousness or sudden severe weakness develop after consuming an alcoholic or herbal product.
The Numbers At A Glance
NAFDAC’s situation report, based on information available as of September 17, gives the following picture:
182 total reported cases.
48 confirmed deaths.
90 people admitted to hospital and subsequently discharged.
31 treated as outpatients.
6 people still hospitalised.
5 people totally blind.
2 people partially blind.
15 people arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the drinks.
The figures remain subject to verification as the investigation continues.
The next stage of the response will focus on further laboratory testing, surveillance, medical treatment, investigation and enforcement.
NAFDAC said confirmatory analyses are still being conducted to establish the precise methanol concentrations and determine whether other toxic agents are present.
Investigators will also need to establish the complete supply chain behind the suspected concoctions.
That includes identifying producers, distributors and retailers who may have been involved.
The medical authorities will meanwhile continue monitoring survivors, particularly those who suffered serious complications such as blindness.
For the families who lost relatives, the investigation will also be important in determining exactly what caused the deaths and ensuring that potentially dangerous products are removed from circulation.
NAFDAC has expressed condolences to the families of those who died in the incident.
A Serious Warning For Consumers
The Ondo tragedy is a stark reminder that products described as alcoholic or herbal are not automatically safe simply because they are traditionally produced or widely consumed.
The presence of methanol in a drink can turn what appears to be an ordinary alcoholic beverage into a potentially fatal poison.
The seven reported cases of total or partial blindness demonstrate the severity of the consequences.
With laboratory investigations still underway, authorities have yet to provide a complete picture of every substance involved.
But the current findings are already serious enough for NAFDAC to classify the situation as a significant public-health concern.
The agency’s investigation will therefore be closely watched as authorities work to determine the full cause of the outbreak, prevent additional deaths and bring those responsible for producing or distributing dangerous products to account.
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