At least 48 people have died and 100 others are being treated in southern Nigeria after consuming a locally brewed drink suspected to contain methanol, officials said.
Banji Ajaka, Ondo state’s commissioner for health, said the cases had been reported in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas. A total of 182 people are believed to have been affected, with some being treated in hospitals. Drinking locally made alcohol is common in Nigeria, especially in rural areas where it is more affordable and poorly regulated.
Local media reports said the first death was reported nearly two weeks ago. Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is now enforcing a nationwide ban on alcohol in sachets and small plastic containers, which it said are easily accessible to children and young people. A trader in Odigbo, speaking anonymously, said there are two versions of a popular herbal drink known as "Monkey Tail": one safe and another unsafe. Authorities have arrested 15 people in connection with the incident, including one allegedly involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the risks faced by rural communities in Nigeria where locally produced alcohol is common and regulation is weak.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
The effectiveness of the nationwide alcohol ban and the outcome of ongoing police investigations into the production of the suspected methanol-contaminated drink.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.