(Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Phoot by CNN)
Canadian authorities have warned citizens in Nigeria to be careful when drinking alcohol following reports of d£aths and people being treated in hospital linked to suspected meth@nol-tainted drinks in Ondo State.
Canadian officials said in a safety notice on Tuesday that casualties have happened in Nigeria because of drinking unregulated and mixed alcohol with high meth@nol levels.
They urged people to buy alcohol from trusted shops and seek medical help if they start to feel sick.
Nigerian health officials said last week that 48 people had d+ed while about 180 others were getting treatment in Ondo State after drinking a locally made alcoholic drink thought to have meth@nol in it.
Meth@nol is a deadly substance that can cause multiple organ failure, breathing problems, blindness and brain d@mage.
A 32-year-old survivor said he took two shots and went out on Friday but on Saturday found he could not see.
The Ondo State Health Commissioner said the effects happen fast, noting that once someone drinks it, depending on how much, their kidneys will fail, their eyes will go bad and their brain will be d@maged.
Police said 15 people had been arrested in connection with the suspected t%xic drink, while locals thought a popular herbal alcoholic drink called Monkey Tail was mixed with meth@nol.
Homemade alcohol is common in some rural areas of Nigeria where it is cheaper and less controlled.
NAFDAC has also put a nationwide ban on alcohol sold in sachets and small plastic containers.