At least 48 people have died and nearly 180 others are battling severe poisoning after drinking homemade alcohol adulterated with methanol in Ondo state, south-west Nigeria. The toll has sparked widespread grief and alarm across the region.
Where the outbreak hit hardest
Health authorities and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) report that the cases are concentrated in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas. Hospitals in both districts have been overwhelmed by patients arriving with symptoms of acute methanol toxicity.
Methanol: the hidden killer in local brews
Toxicological tests on seized batches of artisanal drinks confirmed the presence of massive methanol concentrations. Among the products tested was a locally popular concoction known as “Monkey Tail.” Methanol is an industrial alcohol commonly used as a solvent or fuel, and it is highly toxic to humans even in small quantities.
Beyond the fatalities, dozens of survivors remain hospitalised with irreversible complications. These include permanent blindness and acute kidney failure, conditions that will require long-term medical care.
Police arrests and crackdown on illegal operations
In response to the public health crisis, Ondo state police have arrested at least fifteen suspects believed to be involved in the illicit production, adulteration, and distribution of the tainted liquor. Regulatory teams have stepped up raids on local markets and informal vendors, confiscating suspicious stock and shutting down underground distilleries.
Health officials urge caution
NAFDAC and the Ondo state Ministry of Health have issued a fresh appeal to residents, urging them to avoid any homemade or informally sold alcoholic beverages. They warn that only products from approved distribution channels should be considered safe.
This tragedy once again exposes the serious health dangers linked to the informal trade in cheap, adulterated liquor — a recurring problem in several parts of West Africa where such drinks are popular for their low cost.
