About 50 people who consumed alcohol died in Nigeria

About 50 people died after drinking alcohol in Nigeria

At least 48 people have died after consuming alcohol in Nigeria, and about 100 others are being treated in hospital.

The alcohol is suspected to have contained methanol. Cases of poisoning were detected in the Odigbo and Irele areas of Ondo State. A total of 182 people were affected by the alcohol.

"On Friday, I drank two glasses of alcohol and went out. On Saturday, I noticed that I could not see," said 32-year-old Sola Adebayo, who is being treated in hospital.

In Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, the consumption of home-brewed alcohol is widespread, especially in rural areas. Such drinks are cheaper, and their production is not sufficiently regulated.

"Depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, kidney failure, blindness, and brain damage occur," said Banji Ajaka, the Ondo State Commissioner for Health.

15 people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Among them is one person who participated in the production of the alcohol suspected of containing methanol and is currently assisting the police in the investigation.

According to local media reports, the first death was recorded nearly two weeks ago. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control of Nigeria has now banned alcoholic beverages in sachets and small plastic bottles across the country.