48 Dead, Five Blind After Alcoholic Concoction Consumption In Ondo – NAFDAC
48 Dead, 5 Blind from Dangerous Alcoholic Beverages in Ondo State, NAFDAC Reports
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reported that 48 individuals have died and five others have lost their sight due to the consumption of local alcoholic and herbal concoctions in Ondo State. This information was revealed in a statement released on September 18, 2026, detailing a public health crisis in the Odigbo Local Government Area.
As of September 17, NAFDAC recorded a total of 182 cases related to the incident. Of these, 90 individuals were hospitalized but have since been discharged, while 31 received outpatient treatment. Six individuals remain hospitalized, and there are reports of two others who have suffered partial blindness.
Communities significantly affected include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, and Oniparaga, with Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu facing the highest rates of impact. The situation has since extended to the neighboring Irele Local Government Area, although figures are subject to further verification.
Symptoms among affected individuals include severe headaches, weakness, vision problems, difficulty breathing, and altered consciousness, with some cases deteriorating rapidly.
Preliminary laboratory tests have raised alarms about the contents of the suspected beverages. NAFDAC stated that 15 unlabelled samples were subjected to toxicity and chemical analysis. Preliminary findings indicated that 11 of the samples tested positive for cannabis indica and revealed high concentrations of methanol, a hazardous substance that can cause blindness, organ failure, and death.
Additionally, acute oral toxicity tests on laboratory mice showed approximately 50% mortality across six of the analyzed samples, suggesting a significant toxic potential. Confirmatory analyses are ongoing to determine the exact concentration of methanol and to identify any other toxic substances in the samples.
NAFDAC has apprehended 15 individuals linked to the production, sale, and distribution of the implicated concoctions. The agency is actively conducting surveillance, case management, and risk-control measures in collaboration with public health authorities in the affected communities.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, extended condolences to the families affected by this tragedy and assured the public that necessary regulatory actions are being implemented.
The agency has urged the public to refrain from consuming unlicensed and unregistered alcoholic or herbal concoctions, stressing the dangers of unknown ingredients. It also advised anyone experiencing sudden vision issues, severe headaches, or difficulty breathing after consumption of such substances to seek immediate medical assistance.
