We apply insecticide on bags of beans, says suspect

• Police arraign three for alleged kidnapping of three-year-old girl
The Lagos State police command has arrested three brothers at Alagbado area of Lagos for applying insecticide on bags of beans meant to be sold to the public. The suspects, who were paraded yesterday, said they learnt the practice from their suppliers in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Faith Ogbonna, who is the owner of the shop, said he had seen beans sellers in Maiduguri using chemicals as preservative for beans.

Although he claimed he was not the one who instructed his younger brother, Chijoke to apply insecticide on the beans, he, however, claimed that it helped to prevent stored beans from being infested by ants.

Policemen attached to Alakuko Division following a tip-off arrested Faith, 28, Sunday, 23 and Chijoke Ogbonna.

On his part, the suspect caught in the act, Chijoke, admitted to have applied the chemical and insecticide. “I only added a little amount. It is to preserve beans. Several persons do it. It does not kill because any beans sprayed are not immediately displayed for sale.

“People who buy several bags of beans, particularly when it is cheap, use chemicals to preserve them till the price goes up, thereby making much profit”.

Meanwhile, three suspects, who were alleged to be involved in the kidnapping of a three-year-old girl, Adebiyi Oluwasemilore Elizabeth, were yesterday arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Ikeja, Lagos.

The defendants, three females: Gladys Augustine, 28; Eze Rita, 50; and Ugochi Nweke, 56 are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnap.

According to the charge sheet No. MIK/B/60/2017, Elizabeth was kidnapped at No. 1 Temidire Street, Alagbado, Lagos on January 28, around 11:00a.m.

According to the prosecutor, Insp. Simeon Imohanwa, the offence committed is punishable under Section 409, criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 .