Dangerous agrochemicals prohibited by regulatory authorities continue to circulate openly across Nigerian food markets and provision shops, posing serious health hazards to households. An investigation revealed that despite longstanding restrictions, chemical products intended strictly for agricultural use are routinely purchased for domestic pest control, according to Punch.
The ongoing availability of these hazardous substances recently resulted in a medical emergency in Ibusa, Delta State. Patience Okorie, a 31-year-old nursing mother, and her five-month-old child were diagnosed with acute toxicity at a general hospital after inhaling fumes from DD Force, an agricultural insecticide she sprayed to eliminate mosquitoes and cockroaches.
Okorie explained that she bought a small bottle of the chemical at Eke Market following her infant's malaria diagnosis. Although the product is formulated to manage crop pests such as beetles, caterpillars, and locusts on farms, she used it indoors. Both mother and child developed persistent coughs and noisy breathing, prompting urgent medical attention.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control outlawed the importation and local manufacturing of 100ml pack sizes of agricultural dichlorvos formulations in 2019. Under those regulations, popular brands such as Sniper and DD Force were barred from supermarkets and open markets, while sales were restricted strictly to accredited agrochemical outlets with dedicated shelving.
Regulatory records show that numerous toxic substances, including DDT, Aldrin, Lindane, and Endosulphan, are under federal bans. Health authorities have consistently cautioned that organophosphates found in these formulations trigger acute respiratory illness, severe skin irritation, and neurological complications when inhaled or handled without professional protective equipment.
Despite regulatory directives and official deadlines set years ago for distributors to recall stock, small bottles of dichlorvos brands like NOPEST, DD Force, and Sniper remain easily accessible to ordinary buyers across the country.
