TheCable

The Lagos state government, on Monday, confiscated a truckload of poisonous cow skin popularly referred to as ponmo at Ijegun axis in Alimosho local government area of the state.

Olayiwole Onasanya, permanent secretary in the ministry of agriculture, who disclosed this, said the cow skin was preserved with chemicals to be used for leather but was imported into the country for human consumption by some suspects still be at large.

Onasanya, in a statement by Jide Lawal, assistant director, public affairs, described the cowhide as ‘ebola ponmo’.

According to the statement, the police command at the Ikotun division intercepted the truck before it was subsequently transported to the ministry’s outstation at Agege for disposal.

“Dr Onasanya explained that other relevant agencies such as the Lagos State Waste Management Authority and environmental health officers have been duly informed of the discovery and the disposal exercise,” the statement read.

The state government had in April alerted residents to be aware of the poisonous cowhide after three persons involved in the sale of the item in Ojo and Iba local government areas of the state were arrested.

A month later, ministry of agriculture said it impounded N10 million naira worth of the poisonous product at College Road, Igando.

Onasanya called the public to be vigilant and report any suspected activities and sales of unwholesome foods to relevant agencies.