RismadarVoice Reporters
September 12, 2026
A survivor of the suspected toxic alcohol outbreak in Ondo State has vowed to stop drinking if he survives, as the death toll from the incident continues to rise.
More than 30 people have reportedly died while over 50 others are receiving treatment after consuming suspected adulterated locally made alcoholic drinks in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area.
The affected communities include Odigbo, Newtown, Orita and Araromi-Obu.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Adegoroye Taiwo, said a man suspected of selling the toxic drink had been arrested and handed over to the police in Akure.
He said preliminary investigations by medical experts and toxicologists linked the deaths to adulterated locally produced alcoholic beverages.
Following the incident, the local government banned the sale and consumption of locally made alcohol and directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute violators.
One of the survivors, 32-year-old Shola Adebayo, said he lost his sight after consuming two shots of a locally produced drink known as “Monkey Tail”.
Adebayo said he began experiencing vision problems the following day and was subsequently taken to hospital by his sister.
“I’m getting better, but I’m praying for my eyes. If God saves me, I swear I will never take any drinks again,” he said.
A relative of some victims, Adebayo Adetayo Adedeji, said three young men, including his cousin, died after consuming the drinks.
The traditional ruler of Odigbo Kingdom, Oba Rufus Akinrimade, dismissed claims that the deaths were caused by a cultural taboo, saying available findings pointed to the consumption of locally made alcoholic substances.
The state government has deployed a medical team, including officials from NAFDAC and the World Health Organisation, to investigate the outbreak.
Health authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations into the source and composition of the suspected toxic drinks continue.
