The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has linked recent deaths in Ondo State to high concentrations of methanol found in locally prepared herbal and alcoholic drinks.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC said 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 of Ondo State, has so far recorded 182 cases and 48 deaths.
Initial reports put the death toll at 31 — 20 in Odigbo Town and 11 in Araromi-Obu — but the figure increased as investigations progressed and additional cases were reported.
According to NAFDAC, the affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu recording the most pronounced impact.
Providing an update on the situation as of September 17, 2026, the agency said 90 of the 182 affected persons had been admitted and subsequently discharged, while six remained hospitalised and 31 were treated as outpatients.
NAFDAC also reported that five victims became totally blind, while two suffered partial blindness.
The agency said symptoms reported among victims included headache, general body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness, with some patients deteriorating rapidly.
Laboratory analysis of samples collected from the affected communities confirmed high concentrations of methanol, a highly toxic substance that can cause blindness, organ failure and death when ingested, even in relatively small quantities.
NAFDAC said acute oral toxicity tests conducted on the samples showed critically ill mice and approximately 50 per cent mortality in six of the 15 samples analysed, indicating significant toxic potential.
It added that further confirmatory testing was ongoing to determine the exact methanol concentrations and identify other possible toxic agents.
“However, there is the possibility that those that recovered might die if challenged with a second dose,” the agency said.
NAFDAC said chemical screening using Gas Chromatography also confirmed high methanol concentrations 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. These findings require immediate regulatory intervention to prevent further harm,” the agency stated.
The agency said investigations had led to the arrest of 15 people in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated locally produced alcoholic and herbal beverages.
NAFDAC warned that methanol in oral preparations is extremely dangerous and can cause severe poisoning, resulting in blindness, organ failure and death.
