NAFDAC Confirms Methanol Cannabis Ondo Deaths: 48 Dead From Toxic Concoctions

• NAFDAC confirmed high concentrations of methanol and Cannabis indica in local concoctions linked to 48 deaths in Ondo State.
• The Ondo herbal drink poisoning incident also resulted in seven people suffering blindness and 182 recorded cases of illness as of September 17, 2026.
• Laboratory tests on 15 samples revealed 11 positive for cannabis and confirmed high methanol levels, a substance known to cause blindness and death.
• Fifteen individuals have been arrested in connection with the production and distribution of the toxic beverages in the Odigbo Local Government Area.
• NAFDAC has issued a public warning against consuming unlicensed or unregistered alcoholic and herbal concoctions of unknown composition, advising immediate medical attention for related symptoms.

This incident underscores the critical importance of regulatory compliance for all producers and distributors of herbal and alcoholic beverages in Nigeria.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has officially confirmed that locally produced alcoholic and herbal concoctions, linked to a mass poisoning incident in Ondo State, contained dangerous levels of methanol and Cannabis indica. This tragic event has led to the deaths of 48 individuals. As of September 17, 2026, the agency also reported that seven people suffered blindness, with five losing their sight completely and two experiencing partial vision loss. A total of 182 cases of illness were recorded in connection with the contaminated beverages.

The incident primarily impacted the Odigbo Local Government Area, with specific communities including New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, and Oniparaga bearing the brunt of the crisis. Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu were identified as the most severely affected areas. Clinical symptoms reported by those affected included severe headaches, generalized body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, breathing difficulties, and altered consciousness, with some cases rapidly deteriorating. Of those who fell ill, 90 individuals were admitted to hospitals and subsequently discharged, 31 received outpatient treatment, and six remained hospitalized. The crisis has since expanded beyond Odigbo, with cases now reported in the Irele Local Government Area, though all figures are subject to ongoing verification.

NAFDAC's Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, issued an update on Friday detailing the agency's findings. The investigation involved testing 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected concoctions. Preliminary results revealed that 11 of these samples tested positive for Cannabis indica. Crucially, gas chromatography confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol, a highly toxic substance known to cause blindness, organ failure, and death. Further acute oral toxicity tests conducted on laboratory mice showed approximately 50 percent mortality across six of the analyzed samples, underscoring the significant toxic potential of these beverages.

These findings align with an earlier report indicating a rising death toll. Confirmatory analyses are currently underway to precisely quantify the methanol concentration and identify any additional toxic agents present in the concoctions. In response to the crisis, authorities have apprehended 15 individuals suspected of involvement in the production, sale, and distribution of the implicated drinks. Surveillance, case management, and risk-control measures are actively being implemented across the affected communities, in close coordination with relevant public health authorities.

In light of these devastating findings, NAFDAC has issued a strong public health warning. The agency explicitly cautioned against the purchase or consumption of any unlicensed, unregistered, or locally prepared alcoholic or herbal concoctions whose composition is unknown. This NAFDAC warning highlights the inherent dangers associated with unregistered herbal concoctions and other unregulated products. The Director-General also extended condolences to the families who lost loved ones, assuring the public that all necessary regulatory actions are being pursued.

The agency further advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as sudden visual disturbances, severe headaches, difficulty breathing, or altered consciousness after consuming such substances to seek immediate medical attention. This incident underscores the critical importance of regulatory compliance for all producers and distributors of herbal and alcoholic beverages in Nigeria. Legal and compliance teams should review product safety protocols, NAFDAC registration status, and supply chain due diligence to mitigate severe product liability risks and potential criminal charges arising from the sale of unapproved or contaminated products.

This NAFDAC confirmation underscores the critical importance of regulatory compliance for all producers and distributors of herbal and alcoholic beverages in Nigeria. Legal and compliance teams should review product safety protocols, NAFDAC registration status, and supply chain due diligence to mitigate severe product liability risks and potential criminal charges arising from the sale of unapproved or contaminated products.

Source: Original reporting via Punch