*The Lagos State Taskforce arrests eight persons for allegedly selling contaminated, harmful frozen turkey to unwary consumers, the unhealthy products which the Nigeria Customs Service had earlier seized and set for destruction in Lagos

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Amid ongoing frantic efforts at containing the recent outbreak of cholera in the state, and other parts of Nigeria, the Lagos State Task Force has alerted consumers to contaminated turkey in the market.

The Lagos Taskforce, which disclosed this development in a statement Monday, July 25, 2024, said its operatives had arrested eight persons for allegedly selling contaminated turkey, earlier seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos State Command.

Gbadeyan AbdulRaheem, Spokesman of the Taskforce, stated: “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.

鈥淚 am glad this menace has been nipped in the bud before it blows out of proportion.”

The statement noted: “The state is currently battling to contain the cholera outbreak in some parts of the metropolis, so we need not compound the issues.

鈥淩ather, it鈥檚 our responsibility to the citizenry to ensure sinister forces do not plunge the state into crisis for their selfish gains.”

AbdulRaheem also stated: 鈥淭he 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 their being set ablaze at a dedicated dumpsite.

鈥淲e cannot allow some ignorant individuals to reintroduce products which have been condemned by a federal agency to find their way back into the market.”

The Taskforce further said: “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.”

The Spokesman further assured the public that all contaminated goods were recovered and brought to the headquarters of the agency while the arrested suspects would be charged to court.