The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says high levels of methanol in locally produced herbal and alcoholic drinks are linked to the deaths recorded in Ondo State.
The agency said 182 people have been affected, with 48 deaths recorded since the outbreak was first reported in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area in early September 2026.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC said laboratory analysis confirmed high concentrations of methanol in samples collected from affected communities.
The agency said 11 of the 15 samples tested also contained Cannabis indica.
The affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with the highest concentration of cases reported in Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu.
Of the 182 affected people, NAFDAC said 90 were admitted and discharged, six remain hospitalised, while 31 were treated as outpatients.
It added that five people became totally blind and two others partially blind.
Victims reportedly experienced headaches, general weakness and body pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness, with some cases deteriorating rapidly.
NAFDAC said acute oral toxicity tests on the samples showed critically ill laboratory mice and about 50% mortality in six of the 15 samples tested.
It said Gas Chromatography analysis 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,” NAFDAC said.
The agency added that further confirmatory tests were ongoing to determine the exact methanol concentrations and identify other possible toxic substances.
NAFDAC said 15 people had been arrested over the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated herbal and alcoholic drinks.
“Methanol in oral preparations is extremely dangerous, and ingestion can cause severe poisoning leading to blindness, organ failure, and death,” the agency warned.
