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RSG Debunks ‘Poisonous Beans’ Rumour
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Director and Founder of Rainbow Book Club, Mrs Koko Kalango listening to Dr Williams Wodi, Head of Public Relations at the University of Port Harcourt, during a press conference to mark the 2011 Garden City Interary Festival at Le Meridien Hotel in Port Harcourt. The festival holds from 12th-17th Sept. Photo: Chris Monyanaga
- Director and Founder of Rainbow Book Club, Mrs Koko Kalango listening to Dr Williams Wodi, Head of Public Relations at the University of Port Harcourt, during a press conference to mark the 2011 Garden City Interary Festival at Le Meridien Hotel in Port Harcourt. The festival holds from 12th-17th Sept. Photo: Chris Monyanaga
The Rivers State Government has debunked rumours making the rounds in Port Harcourt, that bags of beans allegedly poisoned by the Boko Haram Islamic group has flooded markets in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Emmanuel Chinda who said this in an interview with The Tide while reacting to a text message purportedly circulated in the state described the rumour as the handiwork of detractors.
Chinda particularly said that investigation has shown that there is no such beans in Rivers markets, stressing that those who are purportedly circulating the message should come with proof that such killer-beans exists in the state.
He also said that the Boko Haram Islamic group based in the Northern part of Nigeria, particularly in Borno State could not have done such since they are not quarrelling with the people of Rivers State or the state government.
Mr Chinda urged the people to discard the message, while also warning mischief makers to keep off.
One of the text messages received by a staff of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation reads as follows “ urgent, don’t eat beans for now, a message was recorded that poisoned beans had been sent to Rivers, pls broadcast to others”.
However, the source of the message has remained unknown. A beans seller at the Mile Three Market who spoke under condition of anonymity also described the rumour as false, pointing out that as far as he was concerned, people were just out to create confusion in the society.
A cross section of traders who spoke to The Tide on the issue also expressed surprise at the