Nigeria At least 48 people have died after consuming a local drink in Ondo state. 100 people have been admitted to the hospital for treatment. Ondo police spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, said one of the 15 people arrested in connection with the incident was producing such drinks.
Suspicion of presence of methanol in drink
He said the drink is ‘suspected to contain methanol and the accused is currently assisting the police in the investigation.’ More than 100 other people have fallen ill after consuming the drink in Odigbo and Irele areas of Ondo in recent days, the state Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, said.
Total 182 people affected
Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, said the cases were reported in Odigbo and Irele local government areas. He said a total of 182 people have been affected.
Kidneys may get damaged
“It all happened very fast,” he said. After consumption, depending on the quantity, kidneys will be damaged, eyes will stop working, brain will be damaged. He further said that some people who fell ill after consuming the liquid have later been discharged from the hospital.
Ondo State Police spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, said one of the 15 people arrested in connection with the incident was producing “drinks containing methanol” and was currently assisting the police in their investigation.
The first death occurred two weeks ago
The first death was reported about two weeks ago, according to local media reports. It is common to consume alcohol in Africa’s most populous country, especially in rural areas of Nigeria, where locally produced alcohol is more affordable.
The country’s National Food and Drug Administration and Control Agency is currently enforcing a nationwide ban on alcohol in pouches and small plastic containers, which it says are easily accessible to children and youth. (with input from AP)
