Residents of Osogbo and its environs in Osun State are reeling after a suspected fraudulent company, Global Food Initiative, suddenly shut down operations. The company had been distributing fliers with unusually cheap prices of food items such as bags of rice, cooking oil, spaghetti, and semovita. The flier, which circulated around strategic locations in Osogbo about a fortnight ago, read that the company was a temporary programme designed to reduce food prices for consumers.
The company allowed customers to collect their food items seven days after payment, citing the need to avoid crowds and ensure availability of booked items. The flier listed prices for various food items, including a super pack for N7,000, a 50kg bag of rice for N27,000, and a 5-liter container of groundnut oil for N8,000. Two phone numbers were provided for customers to contact for more information. Many residents, including business owners, stormed the area and booked food items according to the company's conditions.
Initially, some customers who patronized the company received their items after about a week, attracting hundreds of others to participate with large sums of money. However, trouble started for those who waited for seven days without hearing from the company. They besieged the office address, only to find it empty and shut down. Affected residents, in their hundreds, were in pain over the company's disappearance.
When a correspondent visited the area, many victims claimed they paid millions of naira for the cheap food item venture. The operators of the business and the phone numbers they provided are currently unreachable, fueling concerns among victims about the fate of their investments. Security personnel, including police officers, were deployed with six trucks to maintain order as protesters expressed frustration.
Protesters called on relevant authorities to investigate the matter and ensure their money is refunded. The incident has left many residents in Osogbo and its environs reeling, with some expressing regret over patronizing the company. The company's sudden shutdown has also raised questions about the regulation of such businesses in the state.
The Guardian correspondent gathered that the company had been operating in the area for only a short period. The incident has sparked a heated debate about the need for caution when dealing with businesses that offer unusually cheap products. Authorities have yet to comment on the matter, but victims are hopeful that their money will be recovered.
The shutdown of Global Food Initiative has left a significant impact on the community, with many residents left to pick up the pieces. The incident serves as a reminder to be cautious when dealing with businesses that seem too good to be true.
Key points
- The company collected millions of naira from customers before shutting down operations.
- The incident has sparked protests and calls for investigation.
- Authorities have yet to comment on the matter or provide a plan for refunding victims.
