The Federal Government has recently placed a ban on
the consumption of local gin, popularly called
Ogogoro in all parts of the country.
The decision was sequel to deaths in Rivers
and Ondo states due to food poisoning
allegedly caused by the consumption of local
gin.
The government however confirmed that the
death toll in Rivers State had risen to 38 and
18 in Ode-Irele, Ondo State, following the
consumption of local gin.
The Director-General of National Agency for
Food and Drugs Administration and Control,
Dr. Paul Orhii, in his reaction to the death of
38 persons in Rivers State, told journalists
that the recent incidents in the state and that
of Ode-Irele, in Ondo State were associated
with the consumption of locally made gin.
According to him, considering the risk in the
consumption of locally made gin, it has
become imperative to “warn the public to
desist from the consumption of unregistered
locally made spirits (Ogogoro) and other
unregistered bitters.”
Orhii also warned that government “would
confiscate all illegally brewed alcoholic
beverages” across the country.
The NAFDAC boss also recommended
“immediate reporting and evacuation to the
nearest tertiary health institution as quick
intervention can save lives.”
He said the NAFDAC team me with the Ondo
State Commissioner for Health and Director
of Diagnostic Services and an official of the
World Health Organisation, who visited Ode-
Irele to obtain first hand information.
He added, “A preliminary investigation by the
National Centre for Disease Control and
WHO, ruled out any infectious diseases and
confirmed the possibility of poisoning as the
cause and in turn advised NAFDAC to conduct
further investigation.
“The symptoms suffered by victims included
vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision,
headache, dizziness and loss of
consciousness with subsequent sudden
deaths of 18 victims.”
Orhii, who was joined by the Director of
NCDC, Prof. Abdulrahman Nasidi, explained
that all indications showed that “these
symptoms are the hallmark signs of
methanol poisoning.”
