The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed that 48 people have died following the consumption of locally produced alcoholic and herbal drinks in parts of Ondo State.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, noting that 182 other people were critically affected by the suspected toxic substances.
The affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, all in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
According to Adeyeye, the incident was first reported in early September after residents began falling seriously ill and dying after consuming the suspected concoctions.
Initial reports recorded 31 deaths, with 20 cases reported in Odigbo Town and 11 in Araromi-Obu. As investigations and surveillance continued, the number of confirmed deaths rose to 48.
NAFDAC said 90 affected persons were treated and discharged, while six remained hospitalised and 31 were receiving treatment as outpatients.
The agency also reported that five people had lost their sight completely, while two others suffered partial vision loss.
Other symptoms recorded among victims included headaches, general weakness and pain, visual problems, breathing difficulties and altered consciousness.
Adeyeye said 15 people had so far been arrested in connection with the alleged production, sale and distribution of the suspected locally produced alcoholic and herbal drinks.
She said NAFDAC collected 15 unlabelled samples for laboratory, chemical, microbiological and toxicological analysis to determine the substances responsible for the illnesses.
Preliminary laboratory findings indicated the presence of methanol in high concentrations in the samples. The agency also reported that cannabis indica was detected in 11 of the samples.
NAFDAC explained that methanol is highly toxic and can cause serious health complications, including blindness, organ failure and death when consumed.
The agency said further testing was still being conducted to determine the exact concentration of methanol and identify any other potentially harmful substances or contaminants.
Adeyeye stressed that the preliminary findings strongly suggested that the suspected drinks posed a serious public health risk and required urgent regulatory action to prevent further harm.
She said the figures remained subject to verification as investigations and surveillance continued, with the latest situation report covering cases recorded as of September 17, 2026.
The NAFDAC boss commiserated with the families of those who died and assured that investigations and laboratory analyses would continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
