Mobolaji Michael
LAGOS State Task Force may have succeeded in forestalling an outbreak of epidemic in the Epe area of the state when dozens of cartons filled with contaminated turkey seized by the Nigerian Customs Service and purportedly set ablaze at a dumpsite somehow found their way into the hands of unscrupulous elements trying to sell them to unsuspecting members of the public.
Following a tip-off from a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Rasheed Shabi and the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, the officials of the Lagos State Task Force swung into action and raided the shanties close to the dumpsite and apprehended eight (8) suspects with some of the contaminated turkeys and some harmful weapons.
Speaking on the incident, Oba Kamorudeen commended the Lagos State Task Force on its swift response to the incident which if left unchecked may result in a nationwide epidemic.
“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 own selfish gains.”
The Oloja further admonished the Nigerian Customs Service to seek the support of sister agencies like the Police, the Military, DSS and LAWMA when carrying out exhibit burning exercises to avoid official compromise and ensure the confiscated goods are thoroughly burnt beyond recovery by miscreants in the community.
The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, who led the operation, said that 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 it 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.”
CSP Akerele disclosed that all contaminated goods were recovered and brought to the headquarters of the Agency while the arrested suspects will be charged in court accordingly.
He commended Honourable Shabi and Oba Kamourudeen for the useful tipoff which helped avert a disaster and appealed to the general public to continually make use of the agency’s feedback channels communicated through the “See Something, Say Something” campaign. “Collectively, we will keep Lagos safe, serene and habitable for all,” Akerele concluded.
Eighteen-Eleven Media