Palm Oil adulteration: EFCC locks 32 shops, arrests 26 suspects

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Gombe State has arrested 26 six male suspects and sealed 32 shops over the adulteration of palm oil at the state main market.

EFCC zonal head Mr. Michael Wetkas, said that the men were arrested by his men after a period of investigation.
Wetkas noted that the adulterated oil had an immediate effect on the health of consumers.

“We got intelligence that sellers mix palm oil with very harmful substances. I sent our men to carry out surveillance and we discovered the information was true.

“We caught some of the suspects in the process of mixing the chemicals and I became very worried. We thought it wise to involve other agencies, as you know food security is under the purview of NAFDAC.

“On the day we conducted the raid, 32 shops were locked and 26 suspects were also arrested. We were alarmed because some of those agents they use can cause cancer,” he added.

Receiving the suspects from the commission, the state coordinator of NAFDAC, Gonzuk Bedima, who was represented by Laras Jatau, the Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer noted that as an agency it usually enlightens the traders and did so during the recent World Food Day.

“We educated them and we took the time to explain to them the hazard of deliberate adulteration of produce and the effect of such chemicals.

“It is really surprising that after such lectures someone will still go ahead to adulterate palm oil, this is a crime against humanity,” he said.

He finally called on members of the public to partner with regulatory agencies to rid the market off adulterated products.