The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted large quantities of contaminated animal hides and skins popularly known as Ponmo imported into the country through Lagos State.
The agency said it arrested 7 persons involved in the importation of the deadly product. The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a press statement on Sunday, warned the general public, particularly consumers of Ponmo, against the activities of some unscrupulous businessmen and traders who are selling industrial animal hides as food articles.
Adeyeye disclosed that the NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement officials swiftly carried out intelligence gathering around certain locations where the alleged products were being warehoused and sold.
She said, a raid of six identified locations led to the seizure of 120 tons of the dangerous products and the arrest of 7 suspects, who are currently under investigation.
“These hides and skins are then sold to unsuspecting public as consumable animal skin products, otherwise called Ponmo.
“Monitoring was also extended to some buyers who patronize the sellers and custodians of the warehouse, she said, adding that preliminary investigation revealed that some of the hides and skins were imported illegally and sometimes diverted to some merchants of death who re-process the hides and skins and further sell them as consumable Ponmo to the public,” Adeyeye stated.
The NAFDAC boss further explained that samples of the products have been sent to the laboratory for testing so as to ascertain the products quality and unwholesomeness. According to her, the intervention would help the Agency deal with the interaction and the dangers associated with the consumption of these products.
The street value of the product currently intercepted is estimated to be around N25.330m only.