News
Lagos Traders, Consumers Count Losses From Spoilt Fruits, Vegetables
By Mariam Hassan, Esther Nwabueze and Olaitan Idris
Traders and consumers on Sunday in Lagos, expressed concern over losses caused by spoilt fruits and vegetables, blaming the problem on heat, poor transportation and inadequate storage facilities.
They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Iddo Terminus, Mile 12, Balogun and Agboju markets.
A visit to the markets showed traders displaying fresh produce, including carrots, cucumbers, watermelons, cabbage, bananas and leafy vegetables, while some kept their goods under tables to shield them from sunlight.
Mr Taiwo Abdulhamid, a trader at Iddo Terminus Market, said he sometimes lost two to three kilogrammes of carrots from every 10 kilogrammes purchased.
Abdulhamid said the losses could cost him between N20,000 and N30,000, forcing him to discard spoilt produce or increase prices to recover part of his money.
Similarly, Mrs Mistura Olawale, a banana and pawpaw seller, said she lost about 10 per cent of her goods to spoilage before they reached the market.
Olawale attributed the losses to bad roads, poor transportation and overripe produce, calling for improved feeder roads and refrigerated transit vans.
At Mile 12 Market, Mr Rafiu Olamide, a seller of ugu and waterleaf, said more than 15 per cent of his vegetables sometimes spoilt within one or two days.
Olamide said vegetables worth about N80,000 could result in losses exceeding N10,000, adding that she sometimes sold slightly damaged produce at reduced prices.
Mrs Blessing Sunday, a banana seller at Balogun Market, Eko Idumota, said she sometimes lost bananas worth about N100,000 from a batch.
Sunday, who spends N300,000 or more purchasing bananas in batches, said intense sunlight contributed to spoilage and could take one to two weeks to sell her stock.
She said selling groundnuts alongside bananas helped cushion the losses, adding that she hesitated to complain to suppliers about damaged fruits for fear of losing their patronage.
Mr Shuaibu Tukur, a carrot seller at Carrot Site, Mile 12, said transportation challenges affected the quality of supplies sourced from Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Bauchi, Jos and Sokoto.
He said journeys from Sokoto to Lagos could take about 20 hours under favourable conditions but extend to two days, depending on road conditions.
Mr Aminu Usman, a tomato seller at Mile 12 Market, said overcrowding during transportation caused tomatoes to press against one another and break.
Usman said carefully selected tomatoes sold for about N45,000, while damaged or less visually appealing ones, locally called “Eesha”, sold for about N19,000.
He called for improved transportation and handling practices to reduce breakages and financial losses.
Beyond traders’ losses, consumers said spoilage often forced them to discard food purchased with money they could ill afford to waste.
Mrs Yusuf Halima said she could lose between N15,000 and N25,000 worth of fruits and vegetables monthly, particularly tomatoes and leafy vegetables.
“Sometimes, I buy N5,000 tomatoes hoping they will last me for two weeks if I blend and store them, but if there is no light for two days, my freezer defrosts and everything spoils,” she said.
Halima said she now bought produce in smaller quantities, adding that traders sometimes raised prices to recover losses from damaged goods.
Another consumer, Mr Joshua Edward, said he discarded between 20 and 30 per cent of the fruits and vegetables he purchased weekly.
“If I buy vegetables or fruits for N10,000 weekly, at least N2,000 to N3,000 worth goes to the bin because it wilted, grew mould or started smelling,” he said.
Edward said the experience had reduced his bulk purchases, in spite of additional transportation costs from visiting markets more frequently.
Ms Precious Taiwo, a consumer at Gate 3, Mile 12, said she had lost about N6,000 to spoilt mangoes and bananas, discouraging her from buying fruits as frequently.
Ms Eunice Tosin, a student interviewed at Agboju Market, Festac, said tomatoes and bananas sometimes spoilt shortly after purchase, forcing her to cut off affected portions.
Mrs Onoseme Paulina, a consumer at Iyana Oba, said carrots sometimes deteriorated by the following day, causing losses of about N500 on some occasions.
Paulina expressed concern that some sellers concealed deteriorating carrots beneath fresh ones, adding that she discarded affected produce because of safety concerns.
Mr Eddy Oloye, an engineer and farmer with a personal farm in Lusada, Agbara, said inadequate storage, poor transportation and ineffective preservation methods contributed to post-harvest losses.
Oloye said discarded produce also created environmental nuisance but could be reused as animal feed or processed into other products through effective recycling systems.
He called for government and private-sector support for improved transportation, preservation facilities and training in proper produce handling.
Ms Ebube Agbim, a vegetable seller on Joseph Lambo Street, Costain, said poor packaging and storage contributed to the deterioration of scent leaf, ugu and waterleaf.
Agbim estimated that affected vegetables could be worth about N3,000 daily, although her actual loss was approximately N1,500.
Mr Jubril Useni, a trader at Small Garage, Mile 12, said heat, overcrowded vehicles and prolonged journeys sometimes damaged pepper, green pepper, ground beans and spring onions before they reached the market.
The traders and consumers called for improved transportation, better storage and affordable preservation facilities to reduce waste, protect earnings and make fresh produce last longer. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
The Defence Headquarters has said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, have killed scores of terrorists, arrested suspected criminal collaborators, and rescued dozens of kidnapped victims during coordinated military operations across the country's six geopolitical zones.
It said that operations, conducted between October 30 and November 5, 2026, targeted terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, gunrunners and other criminal networks operating in different parts of the country.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, on November 6, the military sustained its offensive operations to weaken criminal groups, disrupt their supply networks and improve security across the country.
It said that in the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled terrorist attacks in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, and Bitta, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Following an attempted attack on Buni Yadi from the Timbuktu Triangle axis on October 29, the statement said that troops launched a counteroffensive, adding that subsequent clearance operations on October 30 led to the recovery of 48 terrorist bodies, 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four general-purpose machine guns, a 60mm mortar, 105 magazines and two video cameras.
It said that further operations around Apama and Jauro Bashir on October 31 resulted in the recovery of three additional terrorist bodies, an AK-47 rifle and 188 rounds of ammunition, adding that troops also repelled an attempted infiltration of their position at Bitta, recovering seven terrorist bodies, four AK-47 rifles, an RPG tube, four RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, a PKM machine gun and a radio.
The military also recorded progress against terrorist networks in Borno and Yobe through arrests, rescues and voluntary surrenders. Between November 2 and 4, 12 terrorists and their family members surrendered at different locations, including New Abaram Resettlement Village and Banki Junction in Bama LGA. Some reportedly attributed their decision to increased military pressure and disagreements between rival JAS and ISWAP factions. Troops also rescued a female abductee who escaped from the Mandara Mountains.
In the North-West, the military said that Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops rescued several kidnapped victims during operations in Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna and other states. In Kebbi, troops responding to a distress call around Ribah in Danko/Wasagu LGA forced kidnappers to abandon seven captives.
It said that another four victims abducted from their farms were rescued after troops repelled an ambush along the Wasagu-Falfala Road, adding that additional search-and-rescue operations on November 3 led to the rescue of seven kidnapped persons from Sabon Tunga and Binoni villages in Kebbi State.
Meanwhile, the military said that troops arrested two suspects linked to kidnapping and cattle rustling in Sabon Gida, Chikun LGA of Kaduna State. A suspected terrorist seeking treatment for gunshot wounds at a clinic in Kagarko LGA was also apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services.
The statement added that in Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE intercepted a suspected terrorist during a stop-and-search operation at Kukawa Village in Kanam LGA on November 4, saying that the suspect was found with an AK-47 magazine and a round of 7.62mm Special ammunition. Preliminary investigations reportedly linked him to a criminal syndicate allegedly led by an individual identified as Kaura.
It said that across Benue, Kogi and Taraba states, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE intensified operations against armed gangs and kidnapping networks. A raid on a criminal hideout in Edimogbo Forest on November 2 resulted in the recovery of 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, seven bandoliers, six motorcycles and a mobile phone, adding that two suspected kidnappers were subsequently neutralised during another engagement, with troops recovering two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
It said that the operation continued on November 4 when troops stormed Obele Forest, where three suspected kidnappers were neutralised. Four AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 336 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and three bandoliers were recovered. In another operation in Taraba State, troops responding to a kidnapping incident at Jeb Jeb Village in Karim Lamido LGA rescued six civilians, including a baby.
The statement said that the troops also arrested a suspected member of the Konyo Boys bandit group in Takum LGA of Taraba State on November 1. In Kogi State, a terrorist, his wife and two children surrendered at Atsawa, Lokoja LGA, bringing an AK-47 rifle, four rounds of ammunition and a radio. Separately, troops arrested a suspected logistics supplier accused of providing supplies to terrorists operating in Agbaja Forest. A suspected gunrunner was also apprehended in Gboko LGA of Benue State.
In Kwara State, the military said that troops working alongside members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria ambushed suspected Ansaru terrorists at Nanu Village in Kaiama LGA on November 4, neutralising two of them. Another operation in Niger State led to the arrest of an injured suspected kidnapper at Dusai Village in Mariga LGA. Troops also rescued three people who had escaped from their captors in Lema-Ndeji Forest, Edu LGA of Kwara State.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation UDO KA maintained pressure on criminal elements in the South-East, recording successes in Abia and Anambra states. In Abia, troops rescued a kidnapping victim following an attack by gunmen on a compound at Okwe Ubahu Nneato in Umunneochi LGA on November 4. In Anambra, a search of a shop near the Marine Outpost at Otuocha, Anambra East LGA, uncovered a pump-action rifle, a damaged hunting rifle and 13 cartridges suspected to have been concealed for criminal activities.
The Defence Headquarters said the nationwide operations demonstrated the Armed Forces' determination to dismantle criminal networks, protect citizens and restore lasting peace. It noted that the successes recorded in Borno, Yobe, Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states, among others, reflected the impact of sustained military pressure.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their courage and sacrifices, while paying tribute to an officer, a soldier and a civilian hunter who lost their lives in the line of duty. He also wished wounded personnel a speedy recovery and acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies.
The Defence Chief further called for stronger cooperation among security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to consolidate the gains recorded. He urged citizens to provide credible information about suspicious activities through the nearest military formation or the toll-free emergency number 193.
He also warned against supplying criminals with logistics, engaging in mob action or spreading misinformation, while directing troops to remain disciplined, vigilant and combat-ready. The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations until peace, security and stability are restored across Nigeria.
Nigerian troops kill over 50 terrorists, rescue kidnapped victims in nationwide operations
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has blasted President Bola Tinubu over what it called the endless approval of the Ibom Deep Seaport.
In a statement by its spokesman, Osa Director, on Sunday, the party said the project has been approved many times by different governments, yet nothing has been done on the ground.
Director said the people of Akwa Ibom State have heard the same promise several times, adding that each time the government announces the approval, the people celebrate, but after the announcement, the project is forgotten.
"How many times will you approve Ibom Deep Seaport?" Director asked.
According to him, Tinubu's administration is playing with the hopes of the people of Akwa Ibom.
The NDC mouthpiece further stated that the approval has become an endless lie used to win votes during elections.
Director said the Ibom Deep Seaport is a big project that can create jobs and change the economy of Akwa Ibom and the whole South-South, noting that the project should not be used as a campaign tool.
He asked the Federal Government to stop announcing approvals and start work on the project, as the people want to see machines on site, not press statements.
He said if the government is serious, it should give a clear date for the start of work and the date for completion.
"The people of Akwa Ibom are tired of endless promises. They want action," Director said.
He said the NDC will continue to speak for Nigerians who are tired of promises without results.
‘How many times will you approve Ibom Deep Seaport’ – NDC blasts Tinubu over ‘endless lies’
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