Ondo Toxic Drink Outbreak: 49 Dead as Methanol Found in Suspected Herbal Concoctions
At least 49 people have died in Ondo State following an outbreak linked to the consumption of locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions, with health authorities warning residents against consuming unlicensed drinks of unknown composition.
The outbreak, which was initially reported in communities within Odigbo Local Government Area, has spread to neighbouring areas, including Irele Local Government Area, as authorities intensify efforts to identify the source of the toxic substance and prevent further deaths.
The Ondo State Government said the number of affected persons had risen significantly as new cases emerged.
NAFDAC finds high levels of methanol
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has provided the strongest scientific evidence yet concerning the suspected cause of the deaths.
More Read
The agency said laboratory analysis of 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected alcoholic and herbal concoctions found high concentrations of methanol.
Methanol is a highly toxic form of alcohol. When consumed, it can cause severe poisoning, including visual impairment, blindness, organ failure and death.
NAFDAC said 11 of the 15 samples also tested positive for Cannabis indica, while further testing was continuing to establish the precise concentration of methanol and determine whether other toxic substances were involved.
Seven victims suffered blindness
The tragedy has also left some survivors with permanent disabilities.
According to NAFDAC, five victims became totally blind while two suffered partial blindness.
The agency said 182 cases had been recorded as of September 17. Of these, 90 people had been admitted and subsequently discharged, 31 were treated as outpatients and six remained hospitalised at the time of its report.
Reported symptoms among victims included severe headache, general weakness and body pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness. Some patients reportedly deteriorated rapidly after consuming the suspected drinks.
How the outbreak began
The first cluster was identified in early September in communities around New Town, Odole, Okele and Orita Odigbo, before cases were subsequently reported in Araromi-Obu and other communities.
The situation initially prompted the Ondo State Government to restrict the production and sale of locally prepared alcoholic herbal beverages in the affected area.
Police also arrested suspects in connection with the production and distribution of the suspected toxic substances. Police said one suspect was believed to be involved in producing substances suspected to contain methanol and was assisting investigators.
The locally produced alcoholic concoction has frequently been described in reports as “Monkey Tail,” although authorities have cautioned against assuming that every product sold under that description is responsible for the deaths.
Government moves toward a formal investigation
The Ondo State Government has now moved beyond the immediate medical response.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, said the government had asked the Chief Judge of the state to constitute a Coroner’s Court to investigate the deaths.
The proposed inquest is expected to establish, on the basis of evidence, the immediate and remote circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The government has also begun reviewing the regulatory framework covering the preparation, production, distribution and sale of locally prepared herbal and alcoholic products.
Pharmacists call for tighter regulation
The Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has called for stronger regulation, standardisation and quality control of herbal products and locally prepared alcoholic concoctions following the Ondo tragedy.
The professional body said the incident demonstrated that describing a product as “herbal” does not automatically make it safe.
It called for better product testing, manufacturing standards, labelling, ingredient disclosure, dosage information and traceability of manufacturers and distributors.
NAFDAC warning to Nigerians
NAFDAC has urged Nigerians to avoid unlicensed, unregistered and locally prepared alcoholic or herbal concoctions whose contents are unknown.
Anyone who develops sudden visual problems, severe headache, breathing difficulties or altered consciousness after consuming alcohol or a herbal mixture should seek medical attention immediately.
The Ondo tragedy has now become more than an isolated outbreak. It has raised broader questions about the regulation of locally prepared alcoholic drinks, the safety of herbal concoctions and the circumstances that drive Nigerians toward cheaper, unregulated alternatives.
For the families who have lost loved ones, however, the immediate concern is more basic: why did a drink consumed in their communities turn into a deadly health emergency?
The ongoing investigation and proposed coroner’s inquest are expected to provide answers.
Headlineswave.ng distinguishes between confirmed findings, official figures and ongoing allegations.
Death figures differ slightly between official updates: the Ondo State Government has reported 49 deaths, while NAFDAC’s September 17 update confirmed 48 deaths among 182 recorded cases.
The figures remain subject to ongoing verification.
