Fallout of Ondo, Rivers, FG bans ‘ogogoro’, bitters

In efforts to avoid further loss of lives from the consumption of local gin, popularly known as kai-kai or ogogoro, the Federal Government has banned consumption of the product, and other unregistered bitters nation-wide.

Reports have emerged from Rivers and Ondo states where several deaths were traced to lethal doses of Methanol found in unregistered locally made gin which they consumed.

Announcing the ban, the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii said, “preliminary investigation by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) ruled out any infectious diseases and confirmed the possibility of poisoning as the cause of the deaths and in turn advised NAFDAC to conduct further investigations”.

According to him, “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 said.

Orhii, who was joined at the briefing by NCDC Director, Prof. Abdulrahman Nasidi, explained that all indications showed that “these symptoms are the hallmark signs of methanol poisoning”.

The NAFDAC DG further stated that the “results of the laboratory investigation revealed methanol toxicity. Five samples were found to contain high concentration of methanol in them”.

“Blood methanol concentration above 1500-2000mg/L will certainly lead to death in untreated patients,” he said.

The NAFDAC boss said considering the high risk associated with 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.

He said there was also need for “immediate reporting and evacuation to the nearest tertiary health institution whenever poisoning occurs, as quick intervention can save lives”.

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