Chinese man
A Chinese man named Zhao Chum, has been
arrested for allegedly smuggling into Nigeria, unregistered and
controlled chemicals used for manufacturing explosives.
He was arrested along with his Nigerian accomplice, a man named Christian Ohia.
According to Daily Post, Chum who is 33
owns a furniture company in Ogun state. He was apprehended by officials
of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control
(NAFDAC) on Thursday, July 21.
The acting Director-General, DG, NAFDAC, Yetunde Oni, confirmed the arrest in a statement and said: “NAFDAC
impounded 880 bags x 25kg of Urea Formaldehyde Resin – a chemical
compound for manufacturing explosives, which was imported by the Chinese
man, Zhao Chum.
“The substance is now in NAFDAC’s
warehouse. The director of the company, Zhao Chum, and his clearing
agent, Christian Ohia, have been arrested.
The Ports Inspection Directorate of
the agency got a tip-off that the substance, identified as Urea
Formaldehyde Resin powder, was smuggled in through the Lagos sea port in
two containers.
The containers were transported to
Chum’s company in Omu Ijebu area of Ogun, from where operatives of the
agency impounded and brought them to the agency’s office in Oshodi,
Lagos state.
They are assisting NAFDAC to unravel the supply chain. Investigation is ongoing into the matter,” the acting DG added.
Chum was said to have denied being a smuggler saying that the substance was glue meant for his furniture works.
He was quoted to have said in his statement to the police that: “This
glue is from China. Everyone can buy it. I am not an importer. I gave
this job to an agent. The agent did not tell me anything.
“NAFDAC people came to look for the
agent. After arresting him, they arrested me too. You can come to my
factory and see what I use the substances for. It is to hold furniture
together,” Chum added.
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