Lagos, NAFDAC shut toxic chemical plant, arrest four

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control have sealed off a chemical plant in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State and arrested four persons for tampering with evidence.

The joint operation was led by the Director, LASEPA E-Waste, Adedayo Adedayo, and the Principal Regulatory Officer, NAFDAC, Ado Kabiri.

A statement by the LASEPA’s Chief Public Affairs Officer, Bola Ajao, said the closure was after an investigative visit by both agencies to the premises, where toxic substances, large volumes of hazardous chemicals, used medical consumables, an electronic and electrical equipment waste recycling plant, were discovered.

Ajao said, “The joint team promptly halted all activities on the site by placing a LASEPA stop-work order, leading to the arrest of four persons during the joint follow-up inspection exercise. The two men attempted to destroy previously established evidence by illegally gaining access to the sealed site. Two facility managers and the alleged owner of the expired drugs were taken to custody by NAFDAC for further questioning.”

The General Manager, LASEPA, Dolapo Fasawe, said large quantities of artificial sweeteners and flavours, biohazardous waste, including used needles, syringes, nose masks, disposable hand gloves, and apparels were also discovered.

“These activities affect all of us; we all breathe the same air, drink the same water, and eat food from the same soil. If these activities go on unchecked, the state would be in a huge environmental and food safety crisis,” she added.

Credit: Punch