- 15 suspects linked to production arrested
The death toll from methanol-tainted local alcohol in Ondo State has reportedly risen to 48, with 182 people affected.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in an update on September 18, 2026, said the outbreak, first reported in early September, is centred in Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu, but has spread to New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Oniparaga and parts of Irele Local Government Area.
Out of the 182 cases recorded, 90 victims have been treated and discharged, six are still on admission, 31 were managed as outpatients, five have suffered total blindness and two others have partial blindness.
According to the agency, victims showed symptoms including severe headache, body weakness, body pain, visual disturbances, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with many cases deteriorating quickly.
NAFDAC said 15 suspects linked to the production, sale and distribution of the illicit concoctions have been arrested, while 15 unlabeled samples recovered from the affected communities were subjected to toxicological, microbiological and chemical screening.
Acute oral toxicity tests conducted on laboratory mice, in line with OECD standard guidelines, showed alarming results.
“Approximately 50% mortality was recorded in six samples out of the 15 analyzed, indicating significant toxic potential,” NAFDAC said. The agency added that while critically ill mice recovered after 24 hours, recovery does not rule out death upon re-exposure.
Laboratory analysis further confirmed the presence of Cannabis indica in 11 samples, while gas chromatography detected high concentrations of methanol — a highly toxic substance known to cause blindness, organ failure and death.
“The combination of high mortality in animal testing and confirmed methanol contamination strongly suggests that the samples pose a serious public health risk,” the agency warned, noting that further tests are ongoing to quantify methanol levels and detect other toxicants.
NAFDAC described the incident as a major public health emergency given its rising fatalities, geographical spread and the number of persons requiring medical care.
It said surveillance, case management and risk-control measures are ongoing, with figures subject to further verification.
The agency commiserated with bereaved families and cautioned the public against consumption of unregulated alcoholic and herbal mixtures, stressing that methanol in any oral preparation is extremely dangerous.