Ondo Alcohol Incident: 48 Dead, Seven Suffer Vision Loss as NAFDAC Finds High Methanol Levels

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed high concentrations of methanol in samples of suspected locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions linked to a mass illness and death incident in Ondo State.

In an update dated 18 September 2026, NAFDAC said 182 cases and 48 deaths had been recorded as of 17 September following reported consumption of the suspected concoctions in communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, with the incident also extending to Irele Local Government Area.

The agency said the affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with the highest impact recorded in Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu.

The latest figures differ from the previous state health update of 49 deaths and about 170 affected people. NAFDAC's figures are specifically stated as being as of 17 September and remain subject to ongoing verification.

NAFDAC laboratory tests detect high methanol concentrations

The latest development is significant because NAFDAC has now reported laboratory findings from samples collected from the suspected concoctions.

According to the agency, 15 unlabelled samples were subjected to acute oral toxicity testing, chemical analysis using gas chromatography and microbiological examination.

NAFDAC said gas chromatography confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol in the samples.

Methanol is a highly toxic alcohol that can cause severe poisoning when ingested. The body's metabolism of methanol produces toxic compounds that can cause severe metabolic acidosis and damage to the optic nerve.

In serious cases, exposure can result in visual impairment or blindness, neurological complications, organ failure and death.

NAFDAC said confirmatory analyses are still ongoing to quantify the methanol concentration and identify additional toxic agents.

This means that while the agency has confirmed high concentrations of methanol in the tested samples, the investigation into the full toxicological profile of the suspected concoctions is not yet complete.

Five victims reportedly totally blind

The health consequences reported by NAFDAC include significant visual impairment.

The agency said five affected people had been rendered totally blind, while another two people became partially blind.

Other clinical symptoms reported among affected people include:

headache;

generalised weakness and body pain;

visual disturbances;

difficulty breathing; and

altered consciousness.

NAFDAC said some cases deteriorated rapidly.

The visual effects are particularly concerning in the context of the laboratory finding because the optic nerve is highly vulnerable to the toxic metabolites produced when methanol is metabolised in the body.

90 patients discharged after admission

Of the 182 cases recorded, NAFDAC said 90 people were admitted and subsequently discharged, while 31 were treated as outpatients and six remained hospitalised as of the reporting date.

The agency did not provide a category for every one of the 182 recorded cases in the breakdown, so the figures should not be assumed to represent mutually exhaustive categories.

NAFDAC said all figures remain subject to ongoing verification.

11 of 15 samples also tested positive for Cannabis indica

Another significant laboratory finding was the detection of Cannabis indica in some of the samples.

NAFDAC said 11 of the 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica.

The finding indicates that additional substances were detected in the suspected concoctions, while NAFDAC continues confirmatory analysis to identify and quantify other potentially toxic agents.

Toxicity testing also showed serious effects

NAFDAC also subjected the samples to acute oral toxicity testing.

The agency reported approximately 50 per cent mortality among laboratory mice across six of the samples analysed.

The finding indicates significant toxic potential in those samples, although animal toxicity results cannot by themselves establish the cause of illness or death in human cases.

Human clinical findings, laboratory results, epidemiological evidence and other investigations must be considered together.

15 people arrested

The laboratory investigation is taking place alongside a law-enforcement investigation into the production, sale and distribution of the suspected beverages.

NAFDAC said 15 people had been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated alcoholic and herbal concoctions.

Surveillance, case management and risk-control measures are continuing across the affected communities in coordination with relevant public-health authorities.

The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation, and the suspects remain entitled to due process.

NAFDAC warns against unlicensed alcoholic and herbal concoctions

Following the laboratory findings, NAFDAC warned the public against purchasing or consuming unlicensed, unregistered and locally prepared alcoholic or herbal concoctions of unknown composition.

The agency urged people who develop symptoms including sudden visual disturbances, severe headache, difficulty breathing or altered consciousness after consuming such substances to seek immediate medical attention.

The warning comes as the investigation continues to determine the full composition of the implicated products and how they reached affected consumers.

What the methanol finding means

Methanol is not the same as the ethanol normally present in alcoholic beverages.

When methanol is consumed, it is metabolised to toxic substances, particularly formic acid, which can interfere with cellular energy production and produce severe metabolic acidosis. Damage to the optic nerve can result in visual impairment or permanent blindness.

Severe poisoning can progress to coma and death.

The seriousness of methanol exposure also lies in the possibility of a delay between consumption and severe symptoms. A person may therefore not immediately recognise that they have been exposed to a potentially fatal toxic alcohol.

The NAFDAC findings provide an important laboratory link between the suspected beverages and methanol exposure, although the agency said further analyses are still being conducted to quantify the methanol and identify other toxic agents.

Why the findings matter for pharmacy and public health

The Ondo incident has moved beyond a suspected poisoning cluster into a case involving documented laboratory detection of high methanol concentrations in tested samples.

For pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, this strengthens the importance of considering toxic alcohol exposure when patients present after consuming unknown alcoholic or herbal preparations, particularly where visual symptoms, altered consciousness or rapid clinical deterioration occur.

From a regulatory perspective, the incident also highlights the risks associated with products whose composition has not undergone appropriate quality and safety controls.

The affected communities may require continued surveillance to identify additional cases, while laboratory investigation remains important for determining whether other toxic substances are present and whether the tested samples can be definitively linked to the products consumed by individual victims.

Investigation continues

NAFDAC said 48 deaths and 182 cases had been recorded as of 17 September 2026, while noting that all figures remain subject to ongoing verification.

The agency's laboratory analysis has confirmed high concentrations of methanol in the suspected concoctions, while further testing is underway to quantify the concentration and identify additional toxic agents.

With five people reportedly rendered totally blind and two partially blind, the incident has also demonstrated the severe consequences associated with exposure to toxic alcoholic preparations.

The investigation now shifts towards establishing the full composition of the implicated products, identifying their source and distribution chain, determining the extent of exposure and preventing further cases.