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‘Sniper Causes Cancer, Deaths’, NAFDAC Warns Against Use For Food Preservation

Published

1 year ago

June 2, 2024

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has once again warned Nigerians about the hazardous practice of using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items.

Specifically, the agency has banned and emphasized the dangers associated with dichlorvos, a chemical commonly utilised by traders to safeguard food from spoilage.

In a statement signed by Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, Sayo Akintola on Sunday, the agency showed concerns over the recent viral video showing individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items like beans, stockfish, and crayfish.

“The sale of small volume dichlorvos (100 ml or less), sold as Sniper® has been banned since 2019 while the sale of the large volume (one litre) is limited to certified agrochemicals outlets. NAFDAC underscores the toxicity of dichlorvos to human health, cautioning that its use can have fatal consequences.”

The Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, urged traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorized chemicals on food meant for human consumption.

She said: “The misuse of dichlorvos poses significant risks to human health, manifesting in both short-term and long-term consequences. Long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects.

“These adverse effects highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure.”

Similarly, the Director of Veterinary Medicine and Applied Products (VMAP), Dr Rametu Momodu, reiterated that using certain chemicals, especially pesticides, to protect grains and prevent beans from having weevils is not approved.

She explained that there are approved pesticides for use as fumigants, which should be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications on the product label.

She stressed that these products should not be applied directly to food due to their inherent dangers to human health.

Momodu further elaborated that consuming food contaminated with dichlorvos can cause dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, and convulsions, and in some cases, can lead to coma and death.

She warned that once used, pesticide residues remain on or in the food, posing significant health risks. Washing the food does not mitigate the risk, as the harmful substance would have already soaked into it.

She emphasised that the Agency cannot recommend washing as a solution, as it gives a false sense of security.

“Instead, she urged grain merchants, market vendors, and farmers to adhere strictly to manufacturer guidelines and refrain from directly applying dichlorvos to beans and other foodstuffs. It should be used as intended, either as a field crop treatment or a fumigant, to ensure food safety”, she said.

Momodu also advised consumers to avoid buying from vendors known to use such practices and to report them to the nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate sanctions.

NAFDAC DG, Adeyeye further emphasized alternative methods for preserving food, mentioning the use of bio-pesticides as a safer option than dichlorvos.

She noted that food remaining unspoiled for an extended period might indicate pesticide contamination rather than freshness unless stored in the refrigerator.

In addition to the banning of the 100 ml size bottle, the NAFDAC DG said the agency has implemented several initiatives such as stakeholders’ sensitization meetings on restricting the direct application of dichlorvos on grains and foodstuffs and thorough laboratory testing to ensure pesticide residues do not exceed maximum limits for both in-country consumption and for exports.

She said, “Routine monitoring of stakeholders is also conducted to ensure compliance.”

Adeyeye continued NAFDAC’s commitment to global best practices, including the phase-out of certain pesticides that have been banned in other countries due to proven toxicity.

She also acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers due to bans on various chemicals and emphasized the importance of transitioning to safer alternatives.

Addressing misconceptions about banned chemicals being dumped in Nigeria, she clarified that comprehensive lists have been provided to the media to dispel such notions.

News

17 Nigerian States Implementing CPS As PenCom Assets Rise To Over N26trn

Published

39 minutes ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

The National Pension Commission hassaid only 17 Nigerian states are currently implementing the Contributory Pension Scheme as its assets rose to over N26 trillion in September 2025.

Ms Omolola Oloworaran disclosed this during an event in Benin, Edo State.

Oloworaran, who was represented by the Commission’s Inspectorate Commissioner, Chief Samuel Chigozie Uwandu, stressed that CPS plays a vital role in national economic development.

According to her, CPS has evolved beyond a retirement policy and has become a symbol of a national shift towards financial discipline and long-term planning.

Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Friday morning ‎
Oloworaran noted that the scheme illustrates “a decisive break from past dependencies on state-provided old-age financial security to a new culture of retirement savings and forward planning.

News

Politics Not For Rascals — Goodluck Jonathan

Published

52 minutes ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that politics should not be reduced to a playground for unruly conduct.

Jonathan said this on Thursday at the 10th anniversary dinner of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, an event that also doubled as a celebration of his 68th birthday.

He warned that Nigeria’s democracy is being suffocated by reckless political behaviour, arguing that leadership must be anchored on responsibility, nation-building and restraint.

According to him, sustaining democratic stability requires civility and a genuine sense of accountability from all political actors.

DAILY POST reports that the gathering brought together an impressive mix of African statesmen, diplomats, political leaders and business figures.

“Politics is not for rascals. It is for people who want to build, not destroy,” Jonathan said, warning that the rising tide of aggressive rhetoric and hostile political behaviour is weakening democratic resilience across the continent.

He reflected on the experience that inspired the creation of his foundation, noting that its work over the past decade has focused on diplomacy, governance reforms, peacebuilding, mediation and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

Jonathan also lamented the recent spate of violent attacks and abductions across the country, urging leaders at every level to take their responsibility to citizens more seriously and ensure the protection of lives while safeguarding the nation’s democratic order.

News

Vanguard Correspondent Bags Edo Icon Award 2025

Published

4 hours ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

Vanguard correspondent, Ozioruva Aliu (2nd Left) during the award presentation in Benin

The Edo State correspondent of Vanguard newspaper, Comrade Ozioruva Aliu, has bagged the Edo Icon Award of the Year 2025.

Aliu, a one time secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, was awarded alongside others in the 5th edition of the programme for his exceptional performances and commitment to the journalism profession.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Benin City, the organizer of the Edo Icon Award, Lion Moses Ebahor, said the award was designed to celebrate Edo people who have performed excellently and to further motivate them.

“The Edo Icon Award is a means to celebrate Edo people all over the world.

“Most of the people we give the award to are those creating value in their callings, both in public and private sectors.

“The current Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was given ‘Edo Personality of the Year 2022’. He became a senator, and we gave him ‘Edo Man of the Year 2024’ before he became the governor of Edo State.

The chairman of the occasion, Chief Leemon Ikpea—also a philanthropist—is ‘Edo Man of the Year 2025’, while the Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, is the ‘Edo Personality of the Year 2025’.

“Ours is to celebrate Edo people who are doing well.

“We don’t give the award to criminals; we don’t give it to people with shady characters. Those we give awards to are people we do not know personally, but we carry out research to see what they are doing. For example, the Vanguard reporter we awarded—we didn’t know him or had ever met him, but we saw what he was doing at Vanguard.

“We give awards to those in security, academia, business, media, and all human endeavours. We dig into people’s profiles before anything,” he said.

Responding, the Vanguard Correspondent in Edo State, who bagged the ‘Edo Icon Print Media Personality of the Year’, said he was overwhelmed when he was informed of his nomination, adding that the recognition serves as an encouragement to do more.

“I am really overwhelmed by this award because our job is a thankless one. If you write a report and someone does not like it, they believe someone has given you money to do it. The day you write something that favours them, they will pretend that they didn’t see it. That is the kind of job we do.

“I was shocked when I was called and informed that the group had nominated me for an award. Whatever we do, we should know that someone is watching. I appreciate the organizers of this event, and I want to say that this is an encouragement to do more,” he said.