Gombe – People living in communities where aerial spray of Quelea bird is being carried out in Gombe state, have been cautioned against eating the remains of the birds.
Director Produce and Pest Control Services, Gombe State Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Umaru Malala, issued the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Gombe.
He said the birds were killed through spray of chemicals, as such, toxic, and could causes health problems if consumed.
Malala stated that the warning had become imperative considering experiences in the past, stressing the need for public enlightenment of people in all the 12 frontline states where the aerial spray was being conducted.
The director also urged the people not to panic upon the sight of helicopters hovering around their farmlands while conducting the aerial spray.
According to him, the exercises, which will last five days, is aimed at stopping the birds and other pests from damaging crops.
He said the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, had intervened to ensure bumper harvest, hence the need for people to cooperate for the spraying exercise to succeed.
It would be recalled that the Minister of Agriculture held an emergency meeting with State Commissioners of Agriculture recently, sequel to reports about migratory quelea birds heading to Nigeria from some neighbouring countries.
After the meeting, it was decided that measures be taken to stop the pests from destroying crops, especially in the 12 frontline states.
The exercise in Gombe state commenced on Saturday, Oct.8.