AKURE, Nigeria — 13 September 2026: Ondo State authorities have confirmed 29 deaths among 60 suspected cases in a cluster linked epidemiologically to locally produced alcoholic substances in Odigbo Local Government Area. The government says laboratory evidence has not yet identified the toxic agent, so the cause remains under investigation. Production and sale of locally brewed alcohol and alcoholic herbal beverages have been temporarily banned in the affected area.
What has Ondo State confirmed?
Health Commissioner Banji Ajaka says 60 suspected cases have been recorded, including 29 deaths, three hospital admissions and 27 people under observation. Officials suspect exposure to a toxic alcoholic substance, but laboratory tests have not yet confirmed the cause. Residents should avoid unlicensed drinks.
The official count and what remains unknown
Ondo Health Commissioner Banji Ajaka told journalists that the state had identified 60 suspected cases. According to the detailed government briefing reported by Premium Times, 29 people had died, three remained in hospital and 27 were under observation.
The official count is the safest current figure. Some earlier local reports carried higher or different totals, but the commissioner described all cases as suspected until testing identifies the specific substance. Thirty-six blood and urine samples, together with samples of drinks, were submitted for laboratory and toxicology analysis.
Ajaka said the pattern of symptoms and the reported exposure history created a strong suspicion of a toxic alcoholic substance. He also stressed that there was not yet laboratory evidence establishing the cause. That distinction means the incident should not be described as confirmed methanol poisoning or attributed to a named drink without test results.
Communities under surveillance
The cases were reported mainly in New Town, Odole, Okele and Orita Odigbo, with another cluster in Araromi-Obu. A suspected case in Oniparaga placed that community under active surveillance.
ACCIDENT NEWS
Ondo Confirms 29 Deaths in Suspected Toxic Alcohol Crisis
Sep 13, 2026
Sep 13, 2026
4 min read
Published
Updated:
AKURE, Nigeria — 13 September 2026: Ondo State authorities have confirmed 29 deaths among 60 suspected cases in a cluster linked epidemiologically to locally produced alcoholic substances in Odigbo Local Government Area. The government says laboratory evidence has not yet identified the toxic agent, so the cause remains under investigation. Production and sale of locally brewed alcohol and alcoholic herbal beverages have been temporarily banned in the affected area.
What has Ondo State confirmed?
Health Commissioner Banji Ajaka says 60 suspected cases have been recorded, including 29 deaths, three hospital admissions and 27 people under observation. Officials suspect exposure to a toxic alcoholic substance, but laboratory tests have not yet confirmed the cause. Residents should avoid unlicensed drinks.
The official count and what remains unknown
Ondo Health Commissioner Banji Ajaka told journalists that the state had identified 60 suspected cases. According to the detailed government briefing reported by Premium Times, 29 people had died, three remained in hospital and 27 were under observation.
The official count is the safest current figure. Some earlier local reports carried higher or different totals, but the commissioner described all cases as suspected until testing identifies the specific substance. Thirty-six blood and urine samples, together with samples of drinks, were submitted for laboratory and toxicology analysis.
Ajaka said the pattern of symptoms and the reported exposure history created a strong suspicion of a toxic alcoholic substance. He also stressed that there was not yet laboratory evidence establishing the cause. That distinction means the incident should not be described as confirmed methanol poisoning or attributed to a named drink without test results.
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Communities under surveillance
The cases were reported mainly in New Town, Odole, Okele and Orita Odigbo, with another cluster in Araromi-Obu. A suspected case in Oniparaga placed that community under active surveillance.
The state first became aware of a cluster of sudden deaths in New Town on 3 September. The investigation later identified additional deaths in surrounding settlements and eight reported deaths following consumption of an alcoholic substance at a naming ceremony in Araromi-Obu.
The News Agency of Nigeria account carried by Vanguard says 95 percent of the affected people were male and ranged from 16 to 55 years old. The same report lists headache, body pain, weakness, visual disturbance, breathing difficulty and altered consciousness among reported symptoms.
What residents should do
Authorities have urged residents to stop buying or consuming alcoholic and herbal alcoholic drinks from unlicensed or uncertain sources. Anyone who develops blurred vision, sudden weakness, breathing difficulty, confusion or loss of consciousness after drinking alcohol should seek emergency medical attention immediately.
People should not try to manage these symptoms at home or rely on traditional remedies. Rapid treatment can be critical in toxic-alcohol exposure, while delays may allow serious complications to develop.
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Community leaders and families have also been asked to report unusual illness or sudden deaths so surveillance teams can investigate. Residents should preserve any remaining product or container safely for authorities rather than tasting it, disposing of it into shared water or giving it to another person.
A multi-agency investigation is under way
The state says its rapid-response team is carrying out case finding, epidemiological investigation, patient referral and verbal autopsies for selected deaths. A report on the official briefing says police, the Department of State Services, NAFDAC and NDLEA are participating, with support involving the World Health Organization.
Several suspects have been taken into custody, according to the NAN report. An arrest or investigation is not proof that any person produced or sold the substance responsible for the deaths. Accountability will depend on toxicology, product tracing and evidence gathered by the relevant agencies.
The temporary ban applies in the affected local government area while authorities investigate. It should not be presented as a permanent statewide prohibition on every alcoholic beverage.
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Why the laboratory result matters
Different toxic substances can produce overlapping symptoms, but treatment and prevention depend on identifying the actual agent and tracing its source. Laboratory confirmation would help authorities decide whether to recall a specific product, widen surveillance beyond Odigbo or change clinical guidance.
The crisis comes shortly after Nigeria launched a national alcohol policy focused on reducing harm and illicit trade. The Federal Ministry of Health's policy statement says enforcement, product regulation, public health and industry oversight must work together.
For now, the public-health message is narrow and urgent: avoid alcohol of uncertain origin in the affected communities, seek immediate care after concerning symptoms and wait for laboratory findings before accepting claims about the exact poison or source.
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