TheCitizen - It's all about you
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
TheCitizen - It's all about you
No Result
View All Result

Kano poisoned drink contained chemical used for terrorism, says NAFDAC

The Citizen by The Citizen
April 12, 2021
in Latest News
A A
0
NAFDAC registers 601 MSME products in South-East
22
SHARES
734
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Sunday said that investigations showed that the chemical added to the killer flavoured drink that led to the death of three persons in Kano contained “Hyroxylamine” used for terrorism.

It said all the merchants of the deadly chemicals and additives have been apprehended, while further investigation continues.

The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement signed by the Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, warned Nigerians against adding chemicals and additives to food and drinks to enhance taste, stressing that such practices could result in severe illness and even death.

On the recent Kano incident where three people reportedly died as a result of their consumption of dangerous chemicals used as additives, Adeyeye explained that a preliminary result of the Agency’s investigation indicated that the additive chemical was Hyroxylamine.

“Having tested the additive chemical, it was discovered to be Hyroxylamine. It’s a poison. Sometimes its used for terrorism. This is very sad because it involved people dying,” she said.

Adeyeye said that shortly after the news about the Kano incident was received by NAFDAC, six directorates of the Agency immediately swung into action to unravel the mystery behind the sad event.

She added that internal checks revealed that only two of the five flavoured drinks identified in the incidence were registered by NAFDAC, while three were not on the agency’s data base.

According to her, samples of the chemicals and additives that were added while preparing the flavoured drinks for consumption were collected and taken to NAFDAC laboratory in Kaduna for testing.

She said that further testing was conducted at the Agency’s central laboratory in Lagos for confirmation.

‘’We have five flavoured drinks. Two were registered, while three were not. Any food that is unregistered are not guaranteed by NAFDAC and could be unwholesome.

“It’s fake food. It was most likely smuggled into the country,” she explained.

Adeyeye said that the agency tested all the food samples, and that there was E-Coli bacteria in some, adding that it is surprising how E-Coli bacteria would get into powder.

The DG said that the preliminary report of the agency has been submitted to the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

She said that the Pharmacovigilance directorate of the Agency has sent an alert to all its 36 state offices of NAFDAC and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mount surveillance on the unregistered products and mop up the killer chemical.

She emphasised that the chemical did not pass through NAFDAC as there are no records at the Chemical Evaluation and Research Directorate to suggest that permission was given to anyone to import the chemical into the country.

She added that internal checks at the Ports Inspection Directorate revealed that the chemical was not imported through the ports.

‘’Definitely, it was smuggled into the country,’’ she said, noting that before any chemical can be legally imported into Nigeria, full authorisation and permit must be obtained from NAFDAC to ensure that no dangerous chemicals are brought into the country and used to the detriment of the Nigerian people.

‘’For safety and security concerns, NAFDAC does end-to-end monitoring for all chemicals. We request for distribution and utilisation patterns before we give importers permits to import chemicals. We must know who you have sold the chemicals to in your report. These are the things you must clarify to us before we give approval for permit to clear chemical consignments,” she said.

Adeyeye regretted that three fatalities were recorded from the Kano incident with many people having their health compromised.

She said that it’s heartwarming to note that all the merchants of the deadly chemicals and additives have been apprehended while further investigation continues.

She pointed out that food contamination and poisoning could occur through consuming expired food.

The NAFDAC boss also explained that food poisoning could occur by preparing food with poorly sourced water and putting cooked food on the shelf for several days or months: or in the refrigerator for too long amongst others.

‘’We are very particular about food additives, about the temperature at which a food can be kept, or about the expiration date of food. If all of these are violated, then there could be food poisoning,” she said, adding: “Whether it’s food or water, adding chemicals and other substances either to enhance the food or change its form can be dangerous especially when we can’t verify the source and content of such additives.”

Adeyeye said that NAFDAC is now working assiduously in partnership with the Kano State Government with a view to preventing the reoccurrence of the March 11, 2021 incident.

She said that her Agency will be working with the Kano State Taskforce under the Federal Taskforce on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, which is domiciled in NAFDAC, and the Nigeria Consumers Protection Agency in Kano.

While giving more explanation on the Kano incident, Adeyeye said that the investigators found an additive that was kept in a transparent freezer bag.

She said that there is another unknown chemical that is sold as food additive.

“This chemical for 25 Kg bag was supposed to be sold for N30,000. One of the merchants got it for N3,000 and sold it to another merchant for N7,000. The merchant that got it for N7,000 thought it was Dantsami (Hausa for ‘something sour’) that they normally use and tasted it to confirm that truly it was Dantsami. Dantsami is what is used in some parts of northern Nigeria to make drinks sour. 25 Kg kilo bag of the unknown chemical was also sent to the Agency’s laboratory in Kaduna for testing,” she said.

The NAFDAC DG said there are measures being put in place by the agency to ensure safe foods, chemicals and other regulated products, but regretted that some people still find ways to smuggle these chemicals into the country. – Thisday.

Share9Tweet6
Previous Post

Kwara schools reopen after Hijab controversy

Next Post

SERAP tells FG to slash jumbo pay for lawmakers, others

Related Posts

How South-West can claim 2023 Presidency – Tinubu
Latest News

Breaking: Mbah meets Tinubu for release of Nnamdi Kanu

June 8, 2023
Breaking: PDP G-5 in closed-door meeting with Tinubu
Latest News

Breaking: PDP G-5 in closed-door meeting with Tinubu

June 8, 2023
BREAKING: Senator Annie Okonkwo has died
Latest News

BREAKING: Senator Annie Okonkwo has died

June 8, 2023
2019: PDP South East caucus Chairman okays Atiku, Obi ticket
Latest News

Abaribe: How Orji Kalu handed my convoy to his wife after my swearing-in as Deputy Governor

June 8, 2023
Lagos Assembly passes victim, witnesses protection bill
Latest News

No man’s land: Rhodes Vivour cautions Obasa against divisive laws

June 8, 2023
Edo Assembly clears 15 commissioner-nominees
Governance

Edo Assembly clears 15 commissioner-nominees

June 8, 2023
Next Post
SERAP tells FG to slash jumbo pay for lawmakers, others

SERAP tells FG to slash jumbo pay for lawmakers, others

South-East governors wade into Uzodinma, Okorocha feud

Uzodinma, Okorocha fight dirty over Imo debts, roads

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FROM THE GRASSROOTS

Katsina Emirate sacks district head with ties to terrorists

Gunmen kill youth leader in Rivers community

by The Editor
May 4, 2023
0

...

Enugu: SUMAS, among Gov. Ugwuanyi’s greatest achievements, says Vice Chancellor

Enugu: SUMAS, among Gov. Ugwuanyi’s greatest achievements, says Vice Chancellor

by The Editor
April 20, 2023
0

...

Baze Varsity matriculates 1,224 students

Baze Varsity matriculates 1,224 students

by The Editor
April 18, 2023
0

...

Abia court stops ABSIEC from holding LG poll

Abia court stops ABSIEC from holding LG poll

by The Editor
April 18, 2023
0

...

APPOINTMENTS

Nasarawa Assembly faction approves 20 Special Advisers for gov Sule

Nasarawa Assembly faction approves 20 Special Advisers for gov Sule

by The Citizen
June 8, 2023
0

...

Sanwo-Olu doubles Lagos students’ bursary

JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu reappoints Chief of Staff, others

by The Citizen
June 8, 2023
0

...

Kingsley James emerges captain as J9C elects new exco

Kingsley James emerges captain as J9C elects new exco

by The Editor
June 7, 2023
0

...

Obasa re-elected Speaker as Sanwo-Olu inaugurates Lagos Assembly

Obasa re-elected Speaker as Sanwo-Olu inaugurates Lagos Assembly

by The Citizen
June 7, 2023
0

...

ODDITIES

Sweden declares sex as sport, to host competition

Sweden declares sex as sport, to host competition

by The Editor
June 4, 2023
0

22-year-old Kano man stabs mother to death

22-year-old Kano man stabs mother to death

by The Editor
May 5, 2023
0

Nigerian woman in UK on trial for starving son to death

Nigerian woman in UK on trial for starving son to death

by The Editor
April 28, 2023
0

State of the States

Edo State gets approval to build new airport

Fuel subsidy: Edo increases minimum wage, approves three days’ work week

by The Editor
June 7, 2023
0

...

Sanwo-Olu vows prudence with N115bn bond

Sanwo-Olu vows prudence with N115bn bond

by The Editor
May 24, 2023
0

...

Obaseki receives Atiku, Ooni, seeks improved collaboration

Gov. Obaseki sacks 200 aides, commissioners

by The Editor
May 4, 2023
0

...

Edo State introduces revenue scratch cards

Obaseki condoles with Chief Imam of Benin Kingdom over mother’s death

by The Editor
April 20, 2023
0

...

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

August 3, 2022
Fed Govt orders telcos to reverse hike in call, data rates

NCC sets record clear in alleged leakage of Obi-Oyedepo call

April 4, 2023
Military will not rest until Book Haram is annihilated, says Army Chief

Shake-up in army

January 8, 2023
May Edochie finally speaks about husband’s second wife

I will not be cajoled into accepting polygamy, says May Edochie

December 24, 2022

Air Peace begins operations, offers airfare to Armed Forces personnel

170

Diezani breaks silence, reveals side of story in 3-part exclusive interview

26

FG’s N4trn contractual debts under Jonathan – National Mirror

21

2015: Washington Post condemns Jonathan for campaign slogan

20
How South-West can claim 2023 Presidency – Tinubu

Breaking: Mbah meets Tinubu for release of Nnamdi Kanu

June 8, 2023
Breaking: PDP G-5 in closed-door meeting with Tinubu

Breaking: PDP G-5 in closed-door meeting with Tinubu

June 8, 2023
BREAKING: Senator Annie Okonkwo has died

BREAKING: Senator Annie Okonkwo has died

June 8, 2023
2019: PDP South East caucus Chairman okays Atiku, Obi ticket

Abaribe: How Orji Kalu handed my convoy to his wife after my swearing-in as Deputy Governor

June 8, 2023

GLOBAL NEWS

Prince Harry, Meghan give up royal titles, repay £2.4m to Queen

Prince Harry: I couldn’t trust anybody due to phone hacking

by The Citizen
June 7, 2023
0

...

Ukraine dam: UN warns of ‘grave consequences’ as thousands flee homes

Ukraine dam: UN warns of ‘grave consequences’ as thousands flee homes

by The Citizen
June 7, 2023
0

...

Mike Pence rebukes Trump for insinuating VP powers to overturn 2020 presidential election

Ex-US Vice President Pence Declares For White House Race

by The Citizen
June 5, 2023
0

...

Israelis to rebuild Jewish temple on Al-Aqsa site

Israelis to rebuild Jewish temple on Al-Aqsa site

by The Citizen
June 5, 2023
0

...

Royal Family: I left most damaging claims out of memoir, says Prince Harry

Prince Harry to make history with UK court testimony

by The Citizen
June 5, 2023
0

...

EDITORIAL REVIEW

May 29: Tinubu announces 13 appointments into Presidential Inauguration Committee

Tinubu: Health, education require radical reforms – Punch

by The Editor
June 4, 2023
0

Too many buildings are collapsing – Punch

Too many buildings are collapsing – Punch

by The Editor
May 10, 2023
0

Don’t believe PDP again – Senate President tells Gombe youths

Senate’s dangerous dabbling in religion – Punch

by The Editor
May 9, 2023
0

The Buhari Years: How the anti-corruption war floundered – Punch

The Buhari Years: How the anti-corruption war floundered – Punch

by The Editor
May 5, 2023
0

Nigeria at critical juncture – Vanguard

As Nigerians slip away from happiness – Guardian

by The Editor
May 4, 2023
0

Opinion

Fed Govt moves to remove fuel subsidy

We all support fuel subsidy removal but…you are still missing the point

by The Editor
June 2, 2023
0

...

Atiku storms court for hearing of petition against Tinubu

Atiku storms court for hearing of petition against Tinubu

by The Editor
May 11, 2023
0

...

Between Adichie and Shettima

Buhari doesn’t deserve forgiveness

by The Editor
April 27, 2023
0

...

EFCC arraigns Kogi governor’s wife for alleged N3bn fraud

Police, EFCC and a citizen’s dilemma

by The Editor
April 17, 2023
0

...

  • UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

    UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

    127 shares
    Share 51 Tweet 32
  • NCC sets record clear in alleged leakage of Obi-Oyedepo call

    66 shares
    Share 26 Tweet 17
  • Shake-up in army

    61 shares
    Share 24 Tweet 15
  • I will not be cajoled into accepting polygamy, says May Edochie

    53 shares
    Share 21 Tweet 13
  • Why I didn’t remarry — Patience Ozokwo

    48 shares
    Share 19 Tweet 12
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2022 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2022 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.