The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has confirmed that 48 people have died following the consumption of suspected toxic locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions in parts of Ondo State.

The agency said 182 cases have so far been recorded in the outbreak, while seven people suffered loss of sight, comprising five who became totally blind and two who were partially blinded.

NAFDAC disclosed the figures in an update dated September 18, 2026, and signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.

According to the agency, laboratory examination of samples collected during its investigation confirmed the presence of a high concentration of methanol, a toxic substance capable of causing blindness, organ failure and death.

The incident was first reported in early September after residents of Odigbo Local Government Area suddenly became ill and some died after allegedly consuming locally produced alcoholic and herbal mixtures.

Affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu recording particularly serious cases. Cases have also been reported in Irele Local Government Area.

Initial reports put the death toll at 31, including 20 deaths in Odigbo Town and 11 in Araromi-Obu. However, NAFDAC said the figures increased as surveillance and investigations continued.

Of the 182 cases now recorded, 90 people were admitted to hospitals and later discharged, while six remain hospitalised. Another 31 were treated as outpatients.

Those affected reportedly presented symptoms including headaches, general body weakness and pain, difficulty breathing, visual problems and altered consciousness. Some of the patients reportedly deteriorated rapidly.

NAFDAC said its investigation had also led to the arrest of 15 people over the suspected production, distribution and sale of the implicated alcoholic and herbal mixtures.

Laboratory Tests Reveal Methanol, Cannabis
As part of the investigation, NAFDAC collected 15 unlabelled samples for toxicological, chemical and microbiological examination.

The agency said acute oral toxicity tests were conducted on laboratory mice in accordance with its standard procedures and guidelines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

According to the preliminary findings, mice exposed to all the samples became critically ill, while about 50 per cent mortality was recorded in tests involving six of the 15 samples.

The surviving animals recovered after 24 hours, although the agency said there was a possibility that some could die if exposed to another estimated dose.

NAFDAC also said chemical screening detected cannabis indica in 11 samples, while gas chromatography confirmed a high concentration of methanol.

“Methanol is a highly toxic substance known to cause severe health effects including blindness, organ failure, and death,” the agency said.

It added that the laboratory findings, alongside the mortality recorded during animal testing, raised serious concerns about the safety of the mixtures.

“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.”

NAFDAC said further laboratory work was underway to determine the concentration of methanol and establish whether other toxic substances were present.

“Further confirmatory testing is ongoing to quantify methanol concentration and identify other possible toxic agents. Methanol in oral preparations is extremely dangerous, and ingestion can cause severe poisoning leading to blindness, organ failure, and death.”

NAFDAC Intensifies Investigation
The agency described the situation as a significant public health concern because of the rising number of deaths, the number of people requiring medical treatment and the spread of reported cases beyond the initially affected communities.

It said surveillance, treatment of affected persons, investigations and other risk-control measures were continuing.

NAFDAC also cautioned that the figures could change as authorities continue to verify cases and gather more information.

The agency expressed sympathy to families who lost relatives in the incident while investigations into the source, production and distribution of the suspected toxic concoctions continue.