By Ayodele Oni
Residents of Ado Ekiti are now cautious and afraid of buying the locally made pap from hawkers for fear of being poisoned.
This is an aftermath of the disappearance from government silos bags of maize grains already treated with chemicals meant for planting.
Some hoodlums, in the wake of #EndSARS protests, which rocked the country, broke into the silo along Ijan road in Ekiti state capital, and carted away several bags of maize already treated with chemical.
The bags of grain were mistook for Palliatives, meant for distribution in the wake of the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic.
The protesters also broke into the store of the State Emergency Management Agency, where bags of sugar, indomie and other products were carted away.
Some suspects arrested in connection with the looting were arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti early in the week.
Despite public announcement by government warning against the consumption of the grain, some had found way into the market, where it is being sold to unsuspecting buyers.
The state government, through ministry of agriculture, had advised the looters to return the bags of maize as they are not meant for consumption but seems they are adamant.
Investigations in Ado Ekiti revealed that pap, which is one of the by-products of maize, has become a dreaded meal for families.
Although, there has not been any report of outbreak of diseases occasioned by the consumption of the treated grain, people are now skeptical of buying finished products from grain.
