Authorities from the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) have apprehended a woman accused of engaging in the sale of adulterated yam flour—commonly referred to as Elubo—to unsuspecting consumers in the Ajelogo area of the state.
The arrest took place on Friday following a formal complaint lodged by the Elubo Sellers Association in the Maidan market. According to the association, there had been a noticeable influx of substandard yam flour into the market, raising fears about public health and consumer safety.
Responding swiftly to the alarm, LAGESC officers assigned to the Mile 12 market initiated a surveillance operation that led to the arrest of the suspect, identified as Mrs. Kehinde Raji. She was found in possession of substances suspected to be adulterated yam flour, allegedly mixed with ground yam peels and other unidentified materials.
While addressing journalists at the agency’s headquarters in Bolade-Oshodi, the Corps Marshal of LAGESC, retired Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole, confirmed the operation and expressed deep concern over the incident. He emphasized that selling contaminated or adulterated foodstuffs is a serious offense that endangers the lives of consumers.
“Following actionable intelligence provided by the Elubo Sellers Association, our operatives conducted a successful operation that led to the arrest of a vendor who was allegedly selling adulterated yam flour at the Mile 12 market,” he said.
“Such practices are not only fraudulent but also constitute a significant public health threat, contributing to the rise in foodborne illnesses in Lagos.”
In her defense, Mrs. Raji denied the allegations of adulteration. During interrogation, she claimed that she deals exclusively in Elubo Lafun, a fermented cassava flour that is different from yam flour in both texture and appearance. She argued that Lafun is not usually mixed with other substances, as its distinct nature is well known to regular customers.
Providing context for her involvement in the trade, Mrs. Raji revealed that she ventured into the business in 2024, shortly after losing her husband. She explained that the need to provide for her three children was the major motivation behind her decision to enter the elubo trade, which she described as a promising source of livelihood.
Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal disclosed that samples of the seized items have been taken into custody and will be forwarded to the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for scientific analysis.
He noted that further legal action would be determined based on the agency’s laboratory findings and expert recommendations.
Reaffirming LAGESC’s commitment to public safety and hygiene, Major Cole warned that anyone caught selling or distributing contaminated food products within the state will be prosecuted in accordance with existing health and safety regulations.
The agency urged traders across Lagos to maintain high standards of food handling and ensure that their products are safe for consumption. It also reassured the public that continuous monitoring and enforcement operations will be carried out to eliminate health risks stemming from the distribution of unsafe consumables.