Methanol‑tainted local brew kills nearly 50 in Nigeria

In the quiet villages of Odigbo and Irele, part of Nigeria’s southern Ondo state, an ordinary evening turned into a nightmare. A locally made spirit, often sold in cheap sachets, was consumed by dozens of people – and within days the community was mourning a grim tally of nearly fifty deaths.

Health officials say about 182 individuals fell ill after drinking the concoction, a number that includes roughly 100 patients still receiving treatment in hospitals. The drink in question is popularly known as “Monkey Tail,” a herbal‑flavoured brew that locals prize for its high alcohol content and low price.

"I took like two shots and I went out on Friday. On Saturday, I noticed that I could not see," 32‑year‑old Sola Adebayo told TVC News from a hospital bed, her voice trembling as she described the rapid onset of symptoms – blurred vision, kidney failure and, in many cases, irreversible brain damage.

Banji Ajaka, Ondo’s commissioner for health, explained that the toxicity appears to stem from methanol, a poisonous form of alcohol that can be fatal even in small quantities. "Once they consume, depending on the quantity, the kidneys will pack up, the eyes will go, the brain will be damaged," he said, noting the speed with which the victims deteriorated.

The police have already detained fifteen people linked to the incident, including a man accused of producing the methanol‑contaminated batch. A trader who preferred to stay anonymous warned that there are two versions of Monkey Tail – a traditional, safe preparation and a newer, unsafe variant that allegedly contains the lethal additive.

Authorities are now scrambling to prevent further tragedy. Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has imposed a nationwide ban on alcohol sold in sachets and small plastic containers, citing their easy accessibility to children and young adults as a public‑health hazard.

While the ban may curb the spread of cheap, poorly regulated brews, experts say the deeper issue lies in the lack of oversight for informal alcohol production. In rural Nigeria, home‑brewed drinks are a cultural staple and an affordable alternative to pricier commercial brands, making enforcement a challenging prospect.

Families across the affected districts are left grappling with loss and uncertainty. As hospitals continue to treat survivors, community leaders are urging residents to avoid unverified alcoholic drinks and to report any suspicious batches to the authorities.