By Emeka Mamah
Kaduna — Several tonnes of poisonous rice from Asia, which were said to have been rejected by the Sierra Leonean government, have flooded markets in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto and other neighbouring states causing palpable fear within communities and government circles.
The Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service, monitored in Kaduna, yesterday, said that both Muslim and Christian clerics in Sokoto State have condemned the importation of the poisonous rice and appealed to their adherents to distance themselves from anything that could cause harm to them.
Also in Kaduna State, a senior Customs official, Sani Bunza, told newsmen that although they were not allowed to speak to the media without permission, they were aware of complaints from the public about the flooding of markets with the poisonous rice.
Furthermore, a NAFDAC official who preferred anonymity said that the rice with import number LL62 from Asia, should be avoided by members of the public because the commodity was not fit for human consumption.
Malam Sahabi Yahaya Kaura, narrating his experience to newsmen in Kaduna said, “It is unfortunate that Nigerian businessmen, who are richer than their Sierra Leonean counterparts, would be so greedy and unpatriotic as to import bad rice from that country.”
He said that many unsuspecting customers who bought the rice had to return it to the traders in Sheikh Gumi market, Kaduna, because the commodity not only tasted very bad, but could not be easily cooked.
The affected state governments had commented on the development at the time of going to the press.
One can only begin to wonder what this country is turning into..we have been faced with diversity of trial basis from un-patriotic nigerian. who tend to use their expanse wealth of the few to intimidate the un-suspecting majority .
We have witnessed a previous situation which was the killer beans now its the killer rice ( LL62 ). Who is to be blamed for such mis-conduct. You know as an individual you would not consume into your stomach from the first instant of smelling it ..Further more having the interest to eating it ..It is terrible and degrading we have to stoop so low..One can only continue to ask ..WHY ? WHY ? WHY ? When would we uphold our honour and glory of our heroes past …WHEN !!!!!
The Government should stop those involved from further importation.
It is indeed a pity, we could all within the North call ourselves believers.
While it is easy and common to classify ourselves as christians or muslims, yet despite all that we do not have the interest of each other or our neighbors at heart.What a life, pathetic and unfortunate Simply put it’s a case of organized hopelessness.
It is very clear to all that Nigerian business men can go to any length for money. When a country like Sierra Leone refused to flood theirs with that killer Rice but a Nigeria men found it very useful for his country. How does it get to the town when all our roads are full of checking points. Where are the Police collection centres, Custom and NAFDAC?. The wise men continue to call the Goverment to reduce the level of corruption but they will not listen. Corruption will wipe all of us one day if we allow it to continue growing unattended to. GOD HELP THE POOR ONE O O O O.
@femi o,u too much u just summerised nigeria and her palaver