The Lagos State Task Force says its operatives have arrested eight persons for allegedly selling contaminated turkey seized by the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos State.
Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, spokesperson of the task force, made this known in a statement on Monday, July 15.
“The agency discovered that dozens of cartons filled with contaminated turkey seized by the Nigeria Customs Service and set ablaze at a dumpsite somehow found their way into the hands of unscrupulous elements trying to sell it to members of the public,” the statement read.
“I am glad this menace has been nipped in the bud before it blows out of proportion. The state is currently battling to contain the cholera outbreak in some parts of the metropolis, so we need not compound the issues. Rather, it’s our responsibility to the citizenry to ensure sinister forces do not plunge the state into crisis for their selfish gains.
“The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, who led the operation, said goods confiscated by the Nigeria Customs Service must have failed at some point to meet the required health and safety standards before being deemed unfit for human consumption, which led to them being set ablaze at a dedicated dumpsite.
“We cannot allow some ignorant individuals to reintroduce products which have been condemned by a federal agency to find their way back into the market. Contaminated foods like this could cause cancer, lung or liver disease, and so on. Consumption is highly dangerous, and we are here to ensure that Lagosians are protected at all costs,” he said.
He noted that all contaminated goods were recovered and brought to the headquarters of the agency while the arrested suspects would be charged in court.
