48 Dead, Five Blind After Alcoholic Concoction Consumption In Ondo – NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says 48 people have died while five others have been rendered totally blind following the reported consumption of locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions in Ondo State.

NAFDAC disclosed this in an statement dated, Friday, September 18, 2026, on the public health incident recorded in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

According to the agency, 182 cases had been recorded as of September 17, with 90 affected persons admitted and subsequently discharged, 31 treated as outpatients and six still hospitalised.

Two other victims were reported to have suffered partial blindness.

The affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu recording the highest impact.

NAFDAC said the incident has also spread beyond Odigbo Local Government Area to Irele Local Government Area, while noting that the figures remain subject to verification.

The agency said affected persons presented with symptoms including headache, generalised body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with some cases deteriorating rapidly.

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Preliminary laboratory findings have also raised concerns over the contents of the suspected concoctions.

NAFDAC said 15 unlabelled samples were subjected to acute oral toxicity testing, chemical analysis using gas chromatography and microbiological examination.

“Preliminary findings are gravely concerning: 11 of the 15 samples tested positive for cannabis indica, and gas chromatography confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol – a highly toxic substance that causes blindness, organ failure, and death,” the agency said.

It added that acute oral toxicity tests recorded approximately 50 per cent mortality among laboratory mice across six of the samples analysed, indicating significant toxic potential.

NAFDAC said confirmatory analyses were still being conducted to determine the precise concentration of methanol and identify any additional toxic agents present in the concoctions.

The agency also disclosed that 15 people had been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated beverages.

It said surveillance, case management and risk-control measures were ongoing in the affected communities in collaboration with relevant public health authorities.

NAFDAC Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones in the incident.

“The Agency commiserates deeply with the families of all those who lost their lives, and assures the public that every necessary regulatory action is being taken,” she said.

The agency warned members of the public against consuming unlicensed and unregistered alcoholic or herbal concoctions whose contents are unknown.

“NAFDAC strongly warns the public against the purchase or consumption of unlicensed, unregistered, and locally prepared alcoholic or herbal concoctions of unknown composition,” the statement said.

It urged anyone who develops sudden visual disturbances, severe headache, difficulty breathing or altered consciousness after consuming such substances to seek immediate medical attention.