Ondo herbal poisoning: Methanol, cannabis found in drinks that killed 48 — NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed the presence of methanol and cannabis in locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions that have caused the deaths of 48 people and blindness in seven others in Ondo State, Nigeria. The agency also reported 182 cases of illness as of September 17, 2026.

This devastating incident occurred in Odigbo Local Government Area, with New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, and Oniparaga being the most affected communities. The agency revealed that 5 individuals were rendered completely blind, and 2 partially blind. Of the 48 fatalities, 90 were admitted to hospitals and discharged, 31 were treated as outpatients, and 6 remain hospitalized.

Clinical symptoms included headache, general weakness, visual disturbances, breathing difficulties, and altered consciousness. Preliminary findings showed 11 out of 15 samples tested positive for cannabis, and gas chromatography confirmed high methanol concentrations, which caused significant toxic potential. NAFDAC urged the public to avoid purchasing or consuming unlicensed, unregistered, and locally prepared alcoholic or herbal concoctions of unknown composition, emphasizing that immediate medical attention should be sought if experiencing sudden visual disturbances, severe headache, breathing difficulties, or altered consciousness after consuming such substances.