Authorities in Nigeria have announced the seizure of 120 tonnes of imported animal hides and skins, often sold as food, in the city of Lagos, local media reported.
According to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac), they were intercepted on suspicion that were already processed with chemicals for use in leather industries yet they were being sold as foodstuff.
In Nigeria, cow hides are cooked as a popular delicacy known as “ponmo”.
It’s not yet clear from which countries they were imported from.
Nafdac said seven suspects have been arrested.
It added that the raids on warehouses were carried out following “several complaints” by members of the public regarding the distribution and sale of such products it described as dangerous.