NAFDAC: High methanol concentration cause of 182 alcohol cases with 42 deaths in Ondo

*Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, discloses samples analysed indicated clinical features among victims to include headache, generalised body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with some cases deteriorating rapidly

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Following results of 11 of the 15 samples analysed, and tested positive for Cannabis indica, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has linked the 182 cases with 48 deaths in Ondo State of Nigeria to high methanol concentration from locally prepared herbal and alcoholic drinks.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, who disclosed this development in a statement, affirmed the agency noted 11 of the 15 samples analysed also tested positive for Cannabis indica.

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ConsumerConnect gathered the outbreak, which was first reported in early September 2026, in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State, has recorded 182 cases with 48 deaths.

Initial reports also had indicated 31 deaths — 20 in Odigbo Town and 11 in Araromi-Obu — but the figure rose as the agency’s investigations progressed, and more cases were reported in the area.

NAFDAC stated the affected communities, include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with the incident pronounced particularly in Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu areas of Ondo State.

As regards further update on the public health situation as of Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the health regulatory agency said of the 182 affected persons, 90 were admitted and subsequently, discharged.

It also said that six remain hospitalised, 31 were treated as outpatients, while five persons became totally blind and two partially blind.

NAFDAC as well listed clinical features reported among victims to include headache, generalised body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with some cases deteriorating rapidly.

Prof. Adeyeye further explained that laboratory analysis of samples collected from affected communities confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol.

Methanol is a highly toxic substance known to cause blindness, organ failure, and death when ingested, even in small quantities.

According to the agency, acute oral toxicity tests conducted on the samples showed critically sick mice and approximately 50 percent mortality in six out of the 15 samples analysed, indicating significant toxic potential.

NAFDAC, however, said “there was the possibility that those that recovered might die, if challenged with a second dose.”

The agency said chemical screening with Gas Chromatography confirmed high methanol concentration in the drinks the consumers had taken.

The statement noted: “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.”

Arrest of suspected producers of local drinks

Meanwhile, NAFDAC said investigations had led to the arrest of 15 persons in connection with the suspected production, sale, and distribution of the implicated locally produced alcoholic/herbal beverages to caused the death of 42 consumers thus far.

It, however, noted that further confirmatory testing is ongoing to quantify methanol concentration and identify other possible toxic agents.

Adeyeye, therefore, warned Nigerians: “Methanol in oral preparations is extremely dangerous, and ingestion can cause severe poisoning leading to blindness, organ failure, and death.”