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Beware of cancer as sniper is used to preserve food, NAFDAC warns
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has once again issued a stern warning to the public regarding the hazardous practice of using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items. Specifically, the agency emphasised the dangers associated with dichlorvos, a chemical commonly utilised by traders to safeguard food from spoilage.
The sale of small volume dichlorvos (100 ml or less), under the label, Sniper® has been banned since 2019, while the sale of the large volume (one litre) is limited to certified agrochemicals outlets. NAFDAC underscores the toxicity of dichlorvos to human health, cautioning that its use can have fatal consequences.
In response to a viral video showing individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items like beans, stockfish, and crayfish, NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye urged traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorized chemicals on food meant for human consumption.
The agency reiterated that the misuse of dichlorvos poses significant risks to human health, manifesting in both short-term and long-term consequences. Long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects. These adverse effects highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure.
The Director of Veterinary Medicine and Applied Products, Dr. Rametu Momodu said that using certain chemicals, especially pesticides, to protect grains and prevent beans from having weevils is not an approved practice. She explained that there are approved pesticides for use as fumigants, which should be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications on the product label. She stressed that these products should not be applied directly to food due to their inherent dangers to human health.
Momodu elaborated that consuming food contaminated with dichlorvos can cause dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, and convulsions, and in some cases, can lead to coma and death. She warned that once used, pesticide residues remain on or in the food, posing significant health risks. Washing the food does not mitigate the risk, as the harmful substance would have already soaked into it. She emphasised that the Agency cannot recommend washing as a solution, as it gives a false sense of security.
Instead, she urged grain merchants, market vendors, and farmers to adhere strictly to manufacturer guidelines and refrain from directly applying dichlorvos to beans and other foodstuffs. It should be used as intended, either as a field crop treatment or a fumigant, to ensure food safety. She also advised consumers to avoid buying from vendors known to use such practices and to report them to the nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate sanctions.
Adeyeye emphasised alternative methods for preserving food, mentioning the use of bio-pesticides as a safer option compared to dichlorvos. She noted that food remaining unspoiled for an extended period might indicate pesticide contamination rather than freshness, unless stored in the refrigerator.
In addition to the banning of the 100 ml size bottle as stated above, the Director General disclosed that NAFDAC has implemented several initiatives such as stakeholders’ sensitization meetings on restricting the direct application of dichlorvos on grains and foodstuffs and thorough laboratory testing to ensure pesticide residues do not exceed maximum limits for both in-country consumption and for exports. Routine monitoring of stakeholders is also conducted to ensure compliance.
Adeyeye highlighted continued NAFDAC’s commitment to global best practices, including the phase-out of certain pesticides that have been banned in other countries due to proven toxicity. She acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers due to bans on various chemicals and emphasized the importance of transitioning to safer alternatives. Addressing misconceptions about banned chemicals being dumped in Nigeria, she clarified that comprehensive lists have been provided to the media to dispel such notions.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
There was confusion in Lagos on Friday when a trader was crushed by a Lagos-Ibadan train around Oshodi, Lagos.
The incident happened around 2pm with sympathisers and passers-by thronging the area.
Eyewitnesses said the trader was crushed to death in front of Arena Shopping Complex, Oshodi.
The middle-aged man was said to be urinating while standing in the middle of the rail tracks, with his two ears covered with an earpiece.
A witness told out reporter that despite the heavy horn of the train and passers-by shouting to warn the man, he did not hear the alarm.
Sympathetic passers-by who gathered around the dead body said the man killed himself.
Another witness identified the dead man as a trader who owned a shop at a shopping complex called Moyosore.
He said the deceased was chatting with three other persons who heard the honking of the train and ran away from the tracks.
The deceased’s body was still lying on the ground in front of his closed shop while efforts were made to reach his family. Sources said the Police was quickly called upon to evacuate the corpse.
Cases of train crushing people to death have become a recurring incident due to high prevalence of human activities on the railway corridors within the Lagos axis.
In areas like Agbado, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, traders often display their wares on the rail tracks while quickly packing the wares as soon as a train approaches, thereby endangering their lives.
A source in the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) who confirmed the train accident to our correspondent, said the identity of the victim had not yet been figured out.
The Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Lagos Police Command, Ben Hundeyin, was yet to respond to our correspondent’s enquiry on the incident as at press time.
Nigerian Tribune
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Reno Omokri, a former Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media, has been declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
His offence: he allegedly defamed Pastor Paul Enenche.
The NPF secured an order from the Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wuse Zone 6, Abuja to remand him in prison custody along with a former Dunamis Church Pastor, Abraham Daniel, and two others, Enenche Peter and Alexander Enenche.
The court, presided over by Chief Emmanuel A. Iyanna, issued the remand warrant through an ex-parte motion filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on January 13, 2025.
Granting the ex-parte application filed by Francis Gabriel, Esq on behalf of the Police Chief, in Motion No: ME/07/2025 between the Inspector General of Police as Applicant and Daniel Abraham, Enenche Idoga Alexander, Oboyinlo Enenche Peter and Reno Omokri as 1st to 4th Respondents, the Chief Magistrate directed the Police to produce the respondents on return Court date on January 30.
Iyanna held: “Upon hearing the application and submissions of learned Francis Gabriel and upon careful consideration of the averments, the annextures and issues as raised in the submissions of the applicant, the application is hereby granted as prayed.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: An Order of this Honourable Court for remand warrant of the Respondents (i) MR. DANIEL ABRAHAM (ii) MR. ENENCHE IDOGA ALEXANDER (iii) OBOYINLO ENENCHE PETER and (iv) MR. RENO OMOKRI in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service, pending investigation, arraignment/prosecution.
“It is, hereby, ordered that the Respondents be arraigned before a Court of competent jurisdiction after the conclusion of the said investigation.
“On the return date, the Respondents should be produced.
“The matter is adjourned to 30th Day of January, 2025.”
The remand warrant was predicated on a petition to the IGP by Patrick O. Okolo, SAN against Mr Reno Omokri, Gistlover Blog, Aunty Adul, Peter Obonyiro, Kelechi TV and their agents and co-conspirators for alleged defamation of Pastor Paul Enenche.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has called on the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) to ensure the clear labeling of all Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) products in accordance with global standards.
This House Committee on Science and Technology gave the resolution during a budget defense session, with the Director General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha on Thursday in Abuja.
The committee cited the widespread of GMO use in the United States, particularly in maize.
However, committee member Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante emphasised the need for transparent labeling, highlighting that Nigerians should have the choice to make informed decisions about the food they consume. He questioned the adequacy of research on GMO products, particularly Tela Maize, before their adaptation in the country.
In addition, Prof. Mustapha presented NABDA’s proposed budget of N5.3 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, which includes N834.4 million for overhead costs and N14.5 million for personnel costs.
Naijablitznews.com reports that the agency employs around 4,000 staff across its 39 centers nationwide. Other agencies, including the Trypanosomiasis Research Institute, PRODA, NBTI, and NOTAP, also submitted their budgets to the committee.
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