Ondo herbal mixture incident: NAFDAC confirms 48 deaths

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed the deaths of 48 people following the consumption of suspected contaminated traditional medicine and alcohol mixtures in Ondo State.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists.

According to her, the incident affected several communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, including New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga.

Adeyeye said the incident was first reported in early September 2026 after several residents suddenly fell ill, with some dying after consuming what was suspected to be a traditional herbal concoction.

She said preliminary reports from investigating officials initially recorded 31 deaths, comprising 20 in Odigbo town and 11 in Araromi-Obu.

The NAFDAC boss added that several other victims were admitted to hospitals or placed under intensive medical observation.

She said further investigations by health authorities and other relevant agencies showed that the number of affected persons had increased, with 48 deaths confirmed and 182 others in critical condition.

Adeyeye expressed condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of those who died.

She added that laboratory tests and investigations were ongoing to identify the toxic substances that may have been present in the substances consumed by the victims.