In light of the recent outbreak of monkeypox in the nation, Hussein Ejubunu, Customs Area Controller, CAC of Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has issued a warning against the importation and use of “worn garments.”
Ejibunu also made note of the negative economic and health effects that used clothing smuggling has on Nigerians.
In light of the recent outbreak of monkeypox in the nation, Hussein Ejubunu, Customs Area Controller, CAC of Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has issued a warning against the importation and use of “worn garments.”
Speaking at a news conference in Lagos, the head of customs revealed that the world is concerned about monkeypox because its route of transmission involves clothing.
In light of the recent outbreak of monkeypox in the nation, Hussein Ejubunu, Customs Area Controller, CAC of Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has issued a warning against the importation and use of “worn garments.”
Ejibunu also made note of the negative economic and health effects that used clothing smuggling has on Nigerians.
Speaking at a news conference in Lagos, the head of customs revealed that the world is concerned about monkey pox because its route of transmission involves clothing.
What Customs Controller said: Customs made a massive discovery of 1,955 bales of used clothing in an abandoned building around the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex. “We made the discovery and evacuation using combined strategies of intelligence, tact and enforcement.”
He further pointed out that wearing such clothing exposes wearers to fungal infections that can be spread by donning unwashed second-hand clothing, as well as skin problems like scabies.
It is unlawful to import used clothing for resale: The sale of worn clothing in whatever amount is strictly forbidden. They have been taken, and we are pursuing the smugglers to apprehend them.
According to him: “The very serious health implication of this act of textile smuggling is exposure of users to skin diseases like scabies and fungal diseases which can be transmitted by wearing unwashed second-hand clothes.
“Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.
“The government in its wisdom wants the local textile industry to enjoy protection and create more jobs for Nigerians from the cotton farms through the textile and garment factories to our markets,” he noted.
According to a World Health Organization fact sheet on monkeypox, humans can contract the disease by coming into close contact with an animal or person who has it, touching contaminated objects, or touching diseased people or animals.
By coming into intimate contact with lesions, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects like bedding, the “monkeypox virus” can be passed from one person to another.
