The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol and Cannabis indica in locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions suspected of causing a mass poisoning in Ondo State.
The agency said the incident had claimed 48 lives, while 182 cases of illness had been recorded as of September 17, 2026. Seven people also suffered blindness, including five who were totally blind and two who were partially blind.
NAFDAC disclosed this in an update issued on Friday and signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on the mass illnesses and deaths reported in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu recording the highest number of affected persons.
“Disturbingly, five persons have been rendered totally blind and two partially blind,” the agency said.
According to NAFDAC, 90 patients were admitted and later discharged, while 31 were treated as outpatients. Six others remained hospitalised as of the latest update.
The agency said affected persons presented with symptoms including headache, general body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness.
It added that some patients deteriorated rapidly after developing the symptoms.
NAFDAC said the suspected poisoning incident had also spread beyond Odigbo Local Government Area to Irele Local Government Area, stressing that the figures remained subject to verification as investigations continued.
The Daily Crucible had reported earlier that the death toll from the suspected herbal poisoning in Odigbo had risen to 49, with 170 suspected cases recorded at the time.
As part of its investigation, NAFDAC said it collected and analysed 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected concoction.
The samples underwent 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.
NAFDAC further disclosed that acute oral toxicity tests involving laboratory mice recorded approximately 50 per cent mortality in six of the samples, indicating significant toxic potential.
The agency, however, said confirmatory tests were still being conducted to determine the precise concentration of methanol and establish whether other toxic substances were present.
15 arrested
NAFDAC 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.
The agency urged members of the public to avoid unlicensed and unregistered alcoholic or herbal preparations, particularly locally made concoctions whose ingredients and safety could not be established.
“NAFDAC strongly warns the public against the purchase or consumption of unlicensed, unregistered, and locally prepared alcoholic or herbal concoctions of unknown composition,” it said.
The agency advised anyone who develops sudden visual disturbances, severe headache, difficulty breathing or altered consciousness after consuming such substances to seek immediate medical attention.
