27th January, 2022
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it has confiscated 80 bags of suspected unhealthy wheat in Gombe on Thursday.
The Gombe State NAFDAC Coordinator, Mr James Agada, told newsmen shortly after the exercise that the wheat was treated with chemicals (insecticide) meant for planting and therefore, not healthy for public consumption.
According to him, following investigation, it was revealed that the suspect, Adamu Hassan, 32, was selling a measure of wheat at reduced price to the public for consumption.
“One measure of this wheat goes between N200 to N300 and a measure of wheat in the market goes for over N1,000.
“The public were already consuming insecticide-treated wheat, this is something that was supposed to be planted in the farm not for consumption,” he said.
Agada said the Anchor Borrower Programme of the CBN was boldly written on the bags of wheat meant for farmers but was however being sold to the public at a subsidised rate.
He said as soon as they finish the investigation the suspect would be charged to court.
Reacting, the suspect (Adamu Hassan) told newsmen that he sells seeds, insecticide, fertiliser and other farming inputs at Herwagana area, close to Gombe market.
He also claimed that the wheat he is selling is for farmers and not for public consumption.
“I am not aware that people are consuming it,” he explained.