Woman identified as Mrs Kehinde Raji has been arrested for allegedly involved in the production and sale of contaminated yam flour, commonly known as Elubo Isu, using expired ingredients and hazardous chemical additives.
She was apprehended by officials of the Lagos State Taskforce after a tip-off from the leadership of the Elubo Sellers Association, who had flagged concerns about suspicious activities within the market.
Confirming the development, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed that intelligence gathered by the ministry indicated that some traders were deliberately blending unwholesome yam flour with toxic colouring agents to enhance its appearance and deceive consumers.
“Our enforcement team carried out a targeted operation, which led to the arrest of Mrs Kehinde Raji while she was allegedly engaged in the illicit practice,” Wahab said. “We appreciate the vigilance of the market association in helping us uncover this public health threat.”
Preliminary investigations have reportedly linked the adulterated product to several health complaints from unsuspecting consumers. Authorities have pledged to take decisive legal action, with Wahab confirming that the suspect will face prosecution under applicable Lagos State public health and consumer protection laws.
The Commissioner also urged residents to exercise caution when purchasing food products and to report any suspicious or unethical trading practices to relevant authorities.
