By SCM Correspondent I Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026
ODIGBO, ONDO STATE — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an urgent public health alert following a devastating wave of mass illnesses and deaths traced to the consumption of contaminated local alcoholic and herbal concoctions in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Laboratory analysis conducted on samples of the suspected concoctions confirmed the presence of lethal levels of methanol, a highly toxic industrial solvent. As of September 17, 2026, official casualty figures indicate that 48 people have lost their lives, while 182 others are receiving medical attention across various healthcare facilities in the state.
In a swift regulatory and enforcement response, security agencies alongside NAFDAC officials have arrested 15 individuals in connection with the production, distribution, and sale of the deadly brew.
Laboratory Findings and Regulatory Response
Addressing the public on the agency’s investigative findings, NAFDAC revealed that laboratory testing of the confiscated brew samples conclusively detected high concentrations of methanol. Methanol, often improperly used as a cheap substitute for ethanol by illicit distillers, is extremely toxic to humans.
When ingested, even small quantities can lead to severe metabolic acidosis, central nervous system depression, irreversible blindness, organ failure, and death.
NAFDAC highlighted that its enforcement officers, in coordination with the Ondo State Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Police Force, have intensified sweeps across local markets, artisanal distilleries, and informal drinking joints throughout Odigbo Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
The 15 arrested suspects are currently assisting law enforcement with investigations to track down the supply chain of the industrial methanol used in preparing the concoctions.
The agency urged the public to immediately cease the purchase and consumption of unregistered, unlabelled, or locally distilled alcoholic beverages and herbal mixtures commonly known as ogogoro, agbo, or paraga. Members of the public were also advised to report any illegal distilling operations or suspicious vendors to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The Odigbo tragedy underscores an ongoing public health challenge in Nigeria regarding unregulated artisanal distilling and informal herbal medicine preparation. Locally distilled spirits, widely popular due to their affordability, are frequently mixed with various herbal roots, barks, and leaves. However, without strict quality control, standardized measurement, or regulatory oversight, these brews pose severe risks.
This incident is not the first time toxic methanol contamination has claimed lives in Nigeria. In April 2015, Ondo State experienced a similar health emergency in Irele Local Government Area, where over 20 people died after consuming methanol-tainted local gin.
Subsequent outbreaks have occurred in parts of Rivers and Cross River states in past years, highlighting a recurring pattern driven by illegal chemical sourcing and unsafe production methods.
Standard ethanol distillation produces safe alcohol for consumption when properly separated from chemical byproducts.
However, unscrupulous producers often add industrial-grade methanol—a chemical intended strictly for industrial solvents, anti-freeze, and fuel—to boost potency or volume cheaply.
NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to cracking down on counterfeit and adulterated food and drug products across the country, warning that anyone found guilty of endangering public safety through illegal distilling will face the full weight of the law.