The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed the deaths of 48 people following the consumption of suspected contaminated traditional medicine and alcohol mixtures in Ondo State.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists.
According to her, the incident affected several communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, including New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga.
Adeyeye said the incident was first reported in early September 2026 after several residents suddenly fell ill, with some subsequently dying after consuming suspected traditional herbal concoctions.
She said preliminary reports from officials initially recorded 31 deaths, comprising 20 in Odigbo town and 11 in Araromi-Obu.
Several other victims were subsequently admitted to hospitals or placed under intensive medical observation.
The NAFDAC boss said further investigations by health authorities and other relevant agencies had increased the confirmed death toll to 48, while 182 people had been affected by the incident.
She added that laboratory tests and investigations were ongoing to determine the toxic substances that may have been present in the substances consumed by the victims.
NAFDAC said it was continuing surveillance and investigations in the affected communities to establish the source of the contamination and prevent further loss of lives.
