There was pandemonium on Saturday and Sunday near the Trailer Park at Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers when scores of youth, women and children descended on a burrow pit; dug out and took home several tonnes of chicken condemned and buried by men of the Nigerian Customs.
The scavengers came with shovels, pans, basins and buckets to cart their loot home.
The Customs had on Friday dug out a canal there and buried thousands of cartons of frozen poultry they seized at the Onne Ports. Witnesses said the chicken were brought in six containers, emptied and buried before the customs party left.
But news soon spread abroad about the development and very early on Saturday, the human carrions came calling. With no security at the site, they dug and dug and opened up the pit.
Mr. Friday Lewa Goya, a local resident said:
“We saw scores of people in Eleme/Onne axis (just before trailer Park) carrying raffia bags full of exhumed ‘frozen’ chickens and turkey. The Nigerian Customs buried them yesterday after seizing them from the importers.
“Please if you live in Rivers state, especially in Onne area cascade this post. you might also want to stay off frozen poultry for a while.”
A few other residents however said there was no health hazard with the poultry. Mr. Lasbrey Iriaka said the poultry was confiscated not because it had expired or because it posed health hazard.
A few other residents however said there was no health hazard with the poultry. Mr. Lasbrey Iriaka said the poultry was confiscated not because it had expired or because it posed health hazard.
“It was seized from importers because it is contraband. The customs men even diverted one container themselves. So who is fooling who?” queried Iriaka.
