OIL ADULTERATION: CRIMES COMMISSION HANDS OVER 26 SUPECTS TO DRUG LAW AGENCY

The Commission’s Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement said others are; Anas Musa C, Umar Friday, Abbayo Musa, Hamisu Mohammed, Ali Garba, Inuwa Auwal, Tukur Adamu, Ahmad Usman, Emmanuel Etuk, Auwal Iliya, Ejike Samuel, Peter Ndubuisi, Babangida Yerima, Giginna Alphonsus and Usman Musa were picked up October 17 in Gombe market.

Penpushing further reports that, the statement stated that the suspects allegedly adulterated palm oil with unknown substance before selling same to unsuspecting members of the public as genuine.

The Head of the anti-graft at, Gombe Zonal Office, Michael Wetkas, told journalists that the Commission acted on an intelligence report, adding that some of the suspects were in the process of mixing palm oil with the said substances when they were apprehended. A total of 33 shops were sealed during the operation.

Penpushing further reports that, he, also disclosed that the Commission has informed NAFDAC about the arrest as issues of food adulteration and unwholesome products fall within the purview of the agency.

The anti-graft boss, however, called on the public to partner with the Commission to rid the market and Gombe State of unwholesome products to protect the health and well-being of the people.

Penpushing reports that, the Gombe State Coordinator of National Agency for Food, Drug and Administration Control (NAFDAC),, who was represented by the Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer of the Agency, Laras Jatau, while receiving the suspects expressed surprise at the arrest, noting that his agency, especially during World Food Day, had been educating the people on the hazards of deliberate adulteration of food products.

“It is really disturbing that after such lectures, someone will still go ahead to do a thing such as this; this is crime against humanity”, he said, and pledged that the agency will not relent in its sensitisation efforts and surveillance across the markets in the state.

Penpushing also reports that, he assured that the suspects would be handed to the agency’s investigative arm, for further investigation.