Suspected alcohol poisoning kills 49 in Nigeria's Ondo state

A suspected alcohol poisoning outbreak in Nigeria's southwestern Ondo state has killed at least 49 people and hospitalized 182 others as of September 18, 2026. The health emergency, first reported on September 5, 2026, is linked to two traditional ceremonies in Odigbo district where guests consumed a locally brewed gin known as 'Monkey Tail.' Authorities suspect methanol poisoning, though laboratory confirmation is pending. Police have arrested one suspect in connection with the incident.

Ondo state alcohol poisoning deaths

• ▪At least 49 people died and 182 others were hospitalized in Nigeria's southwestern Ondo state due to suspected alcohol poisoning as of September 18, 2026
• ▪Police in Ondo state arrested a suspect in connection with the suspected alcohol poisoning outbreak that had killed at least 49 people as of September 18, 2026

Methanol contaminated local gin

• ▪Ondo state authorities suspect the deaths of at least 49 people were caused by methanol poisoning from a locally brewed gin popularly known as "Monkey Tail."
• ▪Ondo health commissioner Banji Ajaka stated that authorities have strong epidemiological suspicion of exposure to a probable toxic alcoholic substance linked to the suspected alcohol poisoning outbreak in Ondo state, but lack laboratory evidence as of September 18, 2026

Traditional ceremony exposure

• ▪Guests at two traditional ceremonies held in Odigbo district in Ondo state consumed a locally produced alcoholic drink that led to a suspected alcohol poisoning outbreak that had killed at least 49 people as of September 18, 2026
• ▪The suspected alcohol poisoning outbreak in Ondo state, which had killed at least 49 people as of September 18, 2026, was traced to two traditional ceremonies in the Odigbo district

Unregulated alcohol consumption Nigeria

• ▪The suspected poisoning deaths of at least 49 people in Ondo state as of September 18, 2026 underscore the dangers posed by unregulated alcoholic drinks in Nigeria
• ▪Unregulated alcoholic drinks remain widely consumed in parts of Nigeria because they are cheap and easily available

Debatable claims

• ▪Nigeria should ban the production of unregulated local spirits
• ▪Nigeria should criminally prosecute informal brewers for accidental poisoning deaths