Almost 50 dead in Nigeria after drinking alcohol suspected to contain methanol
At least 48 people have died and over 100 others have fallen ill in southern Nigeria after consuming a locally brewed alcoholic drink suspected of containing methanol. Health officials reported that the victims are primarily from the Odigbo and Irele local government areas, where the toxic substance caused rapid organ failure and blindness. Authorities have arrested 15 individuals in connection with the incident, including a suspected producer of the contaminated beverage.
- ▪At least 48 people died and approximately 100 others are receiving treatment after consuming methanol-laced alcohol in Ondo state.
- ▪Ondo state health commissioner Banji Ajaka stated that the toxic drink caused rapid kidney failure, blindness, and brain damage.
- ▪Police arrested 15 people, including one individual allegedly involved in the production of the methanol-containing substance.
- ▪Locals suspect the popular herbal drink known as 'Monkey Tail' was mixed with methanol, with traders noting the existence of unsafe versions of the concoction.
- ▪Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is enforcing a nationwide ban on alcohol sold in sachets and small plastic containers.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — World |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/18/nigeria-deaths-suspected-methanol-alcohol-brew-drink |
| Publication time | Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:23:31 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-09-18T00:43:45.541Z |
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An ambulance in Nigeria. At least 48 people have died and more than 100 other people have fallen ill after consuming the drink in Ondo’s Odigbo and Irele local government areas in recent days. Photograph: Olympia de Maismont/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenAn ambulance in Nigeria. At least 48 people have died and more than 100 other people have fallen ill after consuming the drink in Ondo’s Odigbo and Irele local government areas in recent days. Photograph: Olympia de Maismont/AFP/Getty ImagesNigeriaAlmost 50 dead in Nigeria after drinking alcohol suspected to contain methanolDrinking locally made alcohol is common in Nigeria, especially in rural areas where it is more affordable and poorly regulatedAssociated PressThu 17 Sep 2026 20.23 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleAt…
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