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Reps Move to Phase Out Hazardous Pesticides Nationwide
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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has taken steps to curb the use of dangerous pesticides in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, as part of efforts to protect crops, farmers, consumers and the environment.
The House directed the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Health and Social Development, and Environment, as well as relevant Non-Governmental Organisations, to immediately conduct a nationwide review and inventory of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) currently in circulation.
Lawmakers also called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to strengthen regulation, monitoring and enforcement on the importation, distribution and use of pesticides. They urged the agency to pay particular attention to HHPs and ensure that the list of banned products is regularly updated.
In addition, the House mandated the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria to develop integrated pest management strategies and incentive-driven support for safer alternatives such as organic biopesticides and agroecology, which are already being adopted by many local farmers.
This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion on “Stoppage and Mitigation of Risks Associated with the Use of Hazardous Pesticides Across Nigeria”, by Rep. Clement Jimbo on Wednesday at plenary.
In his lead debate, Rep. Jimbo noted that pesticides are used in agriculture to protect crops from pests and diseases, thereby ensuring food security. However, the growing circulation of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in the country poses grave risks to human health, food safety, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity.
According to him, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory bodies classify Highly Hazardous Pesticides as high levels of acute or chronic hazards to health or the environment, even when used as instructed. Over 50% of NAFDAC-registered pesticides are classified as HHPs, and close to 60% of them are already banned in other countries.
“Concerned that 70% of suicides in Nigeria involve the ingestion of Highly Hazardous Pesticides HHPs, such as Diclorvous (DDVP) in Sniper. The indiscriminate importation, sale, and use of these hazardous chemicals expose farmers, consumers, water sources, pollinators, and the entire ecosystem to dangerous contamination, resulting in huge economic losses for Nigerian food exporters due to rejection at the ports of destination during inspection.
“Also concerned that reports indicate rising cases of pesticide poisoning, soil degradation, and food residue contamination due to unregulated use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Nigeria. Research shows that seven out of thirteen common pesticide active ingredients in Nigeria are cancerous. In 2020 over 270 persons died in Oyo Obi Community of Benue State as a result of Endosulphan in the community river”, the motion read.
He expressed worries that the continued inaction could undermine food security, endanger public health, violate international obligations, and increase long-term medical and ecological costs to the nation.
“Cognisant that there are organic and agro-ecological alternatives in Nigeria that are sustainable and economically viable”, he stated.
The House unanimously adopted the motion through a voice vote and mandate the Committees on Agricultural Production and Services and Environment to liaise with relevant agencies and stakeholders to develop a framework for the gradual phase-out and eventual ban of Highly Hazardous Pesticides and report within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
President of the ANAP Foundation and founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside, has said that Nigerians are monitoring Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, as he oversees the Osun State governorship election.
Peterside made this revelation on Saturday while appearing on an Arise TV programme focused on the Osun governorship election, stressing that the conduct of the poll would be closely watched by Nigerians.
He said the outcome of the election would provide an important indication of INEC’s level of preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the Osun election would serve as a “link pin” to the 2027 elections, but Nigerians should not assume that a successful poll in Osun would automatically guarantee a successful general election in 2027.
“Osun will serve as a link pin to the 2027 election, and Nigerians should not go with the notion that because Osun was successful, then automatically the 2027 general election will be successful,” he said.
Peterside also warned against deliberate delays in the electoral process, particularly in areas considered to be strongholds of a particular candidate.
He said any deliberate attempt to delay voting or the transmission of results in such areas could raise serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
“In a situation where an election is deliberately delayed because it is a weak area for a particular candidate, clearly, it is a form of rigging,” he said.
He added that claims of technical glitches or other problems during the process should be carefully scrutinised, noting that such incidents could undermine public confidence in the election.
Peterside further expressed the expectation that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, election results should be uploaded promptly after voting and collation.
“All things being equal, by 5pm or 6pm, we expect that all the results must have been uploaded, as we experienced in 2023,” he said.
The Oyo State Police Command has nabbed 10 suspected members of a human parts trafficking syndicate and recovered suspected human remains, including a heart and pieces of a skull, during an intelligence-led operation in the state.
The suspects were arrested at their various hideouts in Iseyin and Saki areas of Oyo State following months of intelligence gathering, discreet surveillance and monitoring by operatives of the Command’s Monitoring Unit.
The suspects were identified as Adam Ibrahim, 42; Nasiru Kabiru, 22; Tijani Wasiu, 54; Abiola Nasiru, 45; Amusa Gbadamosi, 57; Raheem Taofeek, 46; Jimoh Muritala, 35; Suleiman Busari, 47; Ganiyu Nurudeen, 36; and Usman Abdullahi, 52.
According to the police, searches conducted at the suspects’ hideouts led to the recovery of several suspected human parts, including one suspected human heart, human flesh, pieces of human skull and assorted charms.
The Command said the recovered items had been secured as exhibits and would undergo forensic examination as investigations continue.
The suspects reportedly confessed during interrogation to varying degrees of involvement in the alleged trade in human parts for ritual purposes. The police said they were also assisting investigators in tracing the source of the recovered items, as well as establishing how they were procured and their intended use.
The Command added that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, commended the operatives for the successful intelligence-led operation and their painstaking efforts in tracking down the suspects.poli
He assured residents that the Command would continue to intensify its efforts to combat criminal activities and protect lives and property across the state.
Ahead of today’s guber poll, the Police has deployed some of its security dogs to Osun state to ensure seurity is not breeched during and after the election.
The police dogs have been prepared to assist security personnel in detecting and confronting potential threats from violent criminals.
Osun Decides: We’re monitoring INEC boss from all sides— Peterside
Police Bust Human Parts Syndicate in Oyo, Nab 10, Recover Heart, Skull
Osun decides: Ahead today’s poll, police dogs deployed to combat thugs
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