At least 48 people have died after drinking locally produced alcohol suspected of being laced with methanol, and a further 100 have been hospitalised, Nigerian health officials said on Tuesday. In a separate incident, 37 suspected illegal miners died while detained by police, raising concerns over custodial conditions.
Methanol poisoning claims dozens of lives
The outbreak occurred in the southern states of Ondo and Ekiti, where unregulated, inexpensive brews are popular in rural communities. Local authorities confirmed that the victims consumed a batch of homemade spirit that is believed to contain high concentrations of methanol, a toxic form of alcohol that can cause blindness, organ failure, and death. Reports from the Guardian, Economic Times, and multiple regional outlets all cited a death toll of 48, though some described the figure as "almost 50".
Health officials have mobilised emergency response teams and urged the public to avoid illicit alcoholic products. The Federal Ministry of Health has dispatched toxicology experts to the affected districts and is conducting laboratory tests on seized samples. Hospital staff reported that many of the patients presented with symptoms of methanol poisoning, including visual disturbances and metabolic acidosis.
"At least 48 people have died and about 100 are receiving treatment," a spokesperson for the Ondo State health department told reporters, according to multiple news agencies.
The incident underscores longstanding regulatory challenges. In Nigeria, locally brewed alcohol is widely consumed because it is affordable, but it often escapes formal quality controls. The government has pledged to intensify inspections of informal brewing operations and to launch public awareness campaigns about the dangers of methanol contamination.
Deaths of illegal miners spark custodial probe
In a parallel development, 37 men suspected of illegal mining were found dead in a police detention centre in Niger State. Initial reports from local media suggested that overcrowding and inadequate ventilation contributed to the fatalities. The National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) announced an internal investigation, while the interior ministry ordered the suspension of the NSCDC commandant overseeing the facility.
Family members of the deceased have accused the authorities of neglect, and some survivors claim they were suffocated after being held in a cramped cell for several days. The NSCDC has stated that it is reviewing its detention protocols and will cooperate with any external inquiries.
The dual crises have drawn criticism from civil‑society groups, which argue that both the lax regulation of informal alcohol production and the handling of detainees reflect systemic governance gaps. International observers note that Nigeria’s rapid urbanisation and economic pressures have spurred the growth of informal economies, from unlicensed breweries to illegal mining, each carrying distinct public‑health and human‑rights risks.
Authorities say that investigations into both incidents are ongoing. The health ministry aims to release a final report on the methanol outbreak within the next two weeks, while the interior ministry has promised a full audit of custodial conditions in Niger State. As the nation grapples with these tragedies, officials emphasise the need for stricter enforcement and public education to prevent future loss of life.
