The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has detected high concentrations of methanol in suspected toxic alcoholic and herbal drinks linked to the deaths of dozens of people in Ondo State.

In a statement dated Friday, September 18, 2026, the agency reported that 48 people had died out of 182 recorded cases as of September 17, while seven others had suffered partial or total blindness.

The findings provide fresh evidence in the investigation into the poisoning outbreak, which began in early September and has affected several communities in Odigbo and Irele local government areas.

According to NAFDAC, laboratory investigations were conducted on 15 unlabelled samples of suspected alcoholic and herbal concoctions collected during the investigation.

Chemical analysis detected high concentrations of methanol, a toxic form of alcohol that can cause blindness, organ failure and death when consumed.

The agency also disclosed that 11 of the 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica, while toxicity tests conducted on laboratory mice revealed significant harmful effects.

Approximately 50 per cent mortality was recorded among mice exposed to six of the samples examined.

NAFDAC, however, said further confirmatory testing was ongoing to determine the precise concentration of methanol and identify any additional toxic substances that may have contributed to the outbreak.

The laboratory findings confirm the presence of a dangerous contaminant in the suspected drinks, although investigations have yet to establish the precise cause of every reported death.

The affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu recording particularly serious consequences.

According to the agency's September 18 update, 90 affected people had been admitted to hospitals and subsequently discharged, six remained hospitalised, while 31 others had received outpatient treatment.

Five people were reported to have become totally blind, while two others suffered partial blindness.

NAFDAC identified headache, general body weakness, pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness among the symptoms experienced by affected residents.

Some patients reportedly deteriorated rapidly after consuming the suspected drinks.

The latest official figures, however, differ from an earlier casualty report issued by the Ondo State Government.

On September 16, the state's Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, reported that 49 people had died and approximately 170 had been affected by the poisoning outbreak.

Ajaka said the incident, initially concentrated in Odigbo Local Government Area, had extended to Irele, where eight deaths had been recorded.

NAFDAC's subsequent report listed 48 deaths and 182 cases as of September 17.

The difference between the two official death tolls has not been publicly reconciled, and NAFDAC said its figures remained subject to further verification as investigations and surveillance continued.

The agency also disclosed that 15 people had been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated alcoholic and herbal drinks.

The Ondo State Police Command had earlier identified Oloruntoba Babatunde, also known as Meko, as a suspect being investigated over his alleged involvement in producing a substance believed to be connected to the outbreak.

Police said substances suspected to contain methanol had been recovered and submitted for forensic examination.

The arrests form part of an ongoing criminal investigation and do not establish the guilt of those detained.

NAFDAC said surveillance, case management and other public health measures were continuing in collaboration with relevant authorities to prevent further harm and identify additional affected residents.

The agency warned members of the public against purchasing or consuming unregistered alcoholic and herbal concoctions whose ingredients and production conditions cannot be verified.

Methanol poisoning is a medical emergency, and symptoms may not appear immediately after exposure.

Anyone who suspects they have consumed a contaminated drink should seek urgent medical attention, even if they initially feel well.

Symptoms such as blurred vision, headache, vomiting, confusion and difficulty breathing require immediate medical assessment.

For residents of the affected Ondo communities, the latest laboratory findings provide an important development in the investigation, but the final forensic results and clarification of the official casualty figures remain outstanding.