A profound sense of shock and grief continues to engulf communities across the Odigbo and Irele Local Government Areas of Ondo State following a devastating mass poisoning outbreak linked to methanol-contaminated local gin.
What began as routine social gatherings, including a local naming ceremony, quickly turned catastrophic when guests consumed tainted alcoholic concoctions. According to official reports from the Ondo State Government and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the tragedy has claimed 48 lives and left 182 people hospitalized. Victims predominantly comprise men and youths aged between 16 and 55 across communities such as Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele, and Oniparaga.
Medical evaluations revealed that the contaminated drinks contained dangerously high concentrations of methanol and cannabis indica. Survivors have reported severe clinical symptoms, including intense headaches, sharp body pains, dizziness, respiratory distress, rapid organ failure, and irreversible visual impairment. NAFDAC confirmed that at least seven individuals suffered varying degrees of permanent or partial blindness.
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Initial panic and misconceptions swept through the agrarian settlements, with some residents mistakenly attributing the sudden wave of deaths to spiritual retributions or ancestral curses. However, traditional rulers, including the monarch of Odigbo, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, swiftly debunked the rumors, urging residents to rely on verified scientific findings and exercise strict caution regarding unregulated consumable products.
In response to the disaster, the Ondo State Government has intensified enforcement operations, placing a strict ban on the sale and public consumption of unverified alcoholic beverages at parks and streets. Health authorities continue to urge anyone experiencing blurred vision, confusion, or breathing difficulties after consuming alcohol to seek immediate medical intervention at the nearest health facility.
