Tobias Sylvester
The National Agency for Food & Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned residents of Kaduna State on the health risk of food itmes and drugs allegedly looted on Saturday from a warehouse located at Narayi in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, NAFDAC warned that the looted items can cause serious illness and death if used.
The agency said the looted items included expired, prohibited and dangerous drugs, adding that anybody who consumed such drugs risked serious illnesses and death.
NAFDAC also quoted the management of a food processing company, whose stores were also looted in Kakuri, as saying that the stolen grains had been treated with chemical preservatives which render them unsafe for consumption.
“Residents of Kaduna State are hereby notified to be vigilant and careful about the sources of the food and medications they take and where they buy them, to avoid these dangers.
“NAFDAC, on behalf of the Kaduna State government, appeals to the public for information on the identities of the looters and where they might be hiding the stolen items,” it said.
The health agency said that it had made concerted efforts to beef up security around its facilities nationwide to forestall a recurrence.
Meanwhile, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has ordered security agencies in the state to search houses to recover looted items and take legitimate action to halt violence.
