Police intercept truckload of poisonous ‘ponmo’

The Lagos Police Command has intercepted a large quantity of poisonous cow skin popular called ‘ponmo’, in Igando area of Lagos State.

Six suspects have also been arrested in connection with the unwholesome food.

Spokesperson of the Lagos police command, Bala Elkanah, said on Sunday that the seizure and the arrests were made on Saturday, May 4, following a tipoff and intelligence gathering.

“Acting on the strength of a information from a credible source that a truck load of cow skins, popularly called ‘Ponmo’, suspected to be poisonous were heaped in a warehouse at No 9 College road, Igando.

A team of police officers led by the divisional police officer (DPO) Igando, mobilised to the scene. The huge pillage and pyramid of poisonous ponmo and the chemicals used in the preservation were recovered.

“One TATA truck with registration number AKD-375-XB which was used in conveying the goods was impounded.”

Elkanah said oficials of Lagos State Ministry of Health were contacted and after due examination, the cow skins were confirmed to be poisonous and not fit for human consumption.

Six suspects, including Adelowo yinka (male), 50 years; Olawumi Onabanjo, (female), 40 years; Omowumi Wasiu (female), 43 years; Adeshokan Taiwo , 43 years; Iyabo Oluwa (female), 38 years; and Taye Kazeem, 40 yrs were arrested in connection with the case. T

The Commissioner of Police Lagos State command, Zubairu Muazu mni assured Lagosians that the Police Command is determined to continually protect life and property of the people as well as preservation of public health and safety as enshrined in the Constitution of the .ederal Republic of Nigeria. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain the source and destinations of those poisonous food items. suspects will be charged to court.

JOSHUA BASSEY