The National Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has made an order against the sales of Sniper insecticide. The organisation did this in order to combat the increasing rate of suicide with Sniper in the country.

Hence, it ordered agro-dealers to withdraw the popular agricultural pesticide from open markets and supermarkets.

NAFDAC’s Director, Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products Directorate, Dr Bukar Usman, disclosed this development. He made the announcement at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan on Wednesday, 19th June.

The organisation addressed this during the launch of a new herbicide for cassava farmers, “Lifeline”, by UPL, Springfield Agro and IITA.

According to Leadership, while speaking during the launch, Usman emphasised on the use of Sniper. He also mentioned that the product is for use on farms only and not households. This is because it is an agro-cultural product.

He then urged manufacturers and dealers to cooperate with the agency to mop up the 100ml of the products that are affordable and easily acquired.

Adding to this, he emphasised that the order was not an outright ban. However, it was simply a restriction of its use and availability to farms alone.

Leadership reports that Usman pointed out, “There are appropriate products for the control of mosquitoes and other household pests.”