NAFDAC Links 48 Ondo Deaths To Methanol-Contaminated Drinks

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has linked 48 deaths recorded in Ondo State to methanol poisoning from locally produced alcoholic and herbal drinks.

NAFDAC said laboratory analysis of samples collected from affected communities detected high concentrations of methanol, a toxic substance that can cause blindness, organ failure and death when consumed.

The agency disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, saying 11 of the 15 samples analysed also tested positive for Cannabis indica.

The outbreak, first reported in early September 2026 in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area, has so far recorded 182 cases and 48 deaths.

Affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu recording particularly high numbers.

In an update on the situation as of September 17, NAFDAC said 90 of the affected persons had been admitted and discharged, six remained hospitalised and 31 were treated as outpatients. Five people became totally blind, while two suffered partial blindness.

Victims reportedly experienced symptoms including headaches, general weakness and body pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness, with some cases deteriorating rapidly.

NAFDAC said acute oral toxicity tests also showed significant toxic effects, with about 50 per cent mortality recorded among test mice exposed to six of the 15 samples.

Chemical screening using Gas Chromatography subsequently confirmed high levels of methanol in the drinks.

“The combination of high mortality in animal testing and confirmed methanol contamination strongly suggests that the samples pose a serious public health risk,” NAFDAC said, adding that further tests were being conducted to determine the exact methanol concentrations and identify other possible toxic substances.

The agency warned that methanol in oral preparations is extremely dangerous and can cause severe poisoning, blindness, organ failure and death.

NAFDAC also disclosed that 15 people had been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated locally made alcoholic and herbal beverages.