The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has identified high concentrations of industrial methanol and Cannabis indica in locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions linked to 48 deaths across Ondo State.
In a public health update signed by Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the regulatory body disclosed that the poisoned drinks have also left seven people blind—five completely and two partially—and caused severe illness in 182 individuals as of September 17.
Contaminated drinks spread across multiple Ondo communities
The outbreak centred primarily in the Odigbo Local Government Area, heavily affecting communities such as Odigbo Town, Araromi-Obu, New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, and Oniparaga.
Reports indicate that cases have since spread to neighbouring Irele Local Government Area.
According to NAFDAC’s casualty breakdown:
48 deaths were recorded across the affected local government areas.
7 cases of blindness (5 total, 2 partial).
90 patients were treated and successfully discharged.
31 outpatients were managed at local clinics.
6 patients remain in critical hospital care.
Victims presented with rapid-onset clinical symptoms including severe headache, generalised body pain, sudden visual loss, respiratory distress, and altered consciousness.
Laboratory tests reveal lethal toxic levels
Investigative teams retrieved 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected herbal brews for acute oral toxicity testing, gas chromatography, and microbiological screening.
Preliminary laboratory results revealed:
11 out of 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica.
Gas chromatography confirmed heavy contamination with toxic methanol—an industrial solvent known to cause central nervous system depression, permanent blindness, organ failure, and death.
Acute oral toxicity trials on laboratory mice showed a 50 per cent mortality rate across six of the analysed samples, proving extreme toxicity.
Quantitative chemical analyses are ongoing to measure exact methanol levels and check for secondary chemical adulterants.
Law enforcement arrests 15 suspects
Security agencies working alongside regulatory officials have arrested 15 suspects believed to be involved in the illegal production, distribution, and sale of the contaminated herbal beverages.
NAFDAC strongly cautioned the public against consuming any unregistered, unlicensed, or locally brewed alcoholic and herbal mixtures. Anyone experiencing sudden vision loss, severe headache, or breathing difficulties after consuming unregulated drinks is urged to seek emergency medical care immediately.
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