Residents of Osogbo and its environs in Osun State, Nigeria, are regretting patronizing a suspected fraudulent company that has suddenly shut down operations after allegedly collecting millions of naira for cheap food items. The company, Global Food Initiative, had opened in the Odi-Olowo area of Osogbo, distributing fliers with unusually low prices for food items like rice, cooking oil, spaghetti, and semovita.
The flier, circulated around strategic locations in Osogbo about a fortnight ago, stated that Global Food Initiative was a temporary program designed to reduce food prices for consumers. Customers were allowed to collect their food items seven days after payment, supposedly to avoid crowds and ensure availability. The flier listed the company's physical address and showcased images of the food items along with their prices.
The prices listed on the flier were significantly lower than the market rates. For example, a super pack of Income/120gramm was priced at N7,000, a 50kg bag of rice at N27,000, and 5 liters of Golden Terra groundnut oil at N8,000. Two phone numbers were provided for customers to contact for more information.
Many residents, including business owners, stormed the area and booked their preferred food items according to the company's conditions. After some initial customers received their items, hundreds of others participated, paying large sums in advance for packages containing rice, cooking oil, spaghetti, and semovita.
However, trouble began for those who patronized the firm after they waited 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 overcome with emotion, lamenting the "disappearance" of the food company.
When THE POINT visited the area, many victims expressed pain over their situation. Although the amounts collected have not been independently verified, many claimed they paid millions of naira for the cheap food items. The operators of the business and the provided phone numbers are currently unreachable, fueling concerns among victims about the fate of their investments.
Security personnel, including police officers with six trucks, were deployed to maintain order as protesters expressed frustration and called for authorities to investigate and refund their money. The incident has left many residents in distress, seeking resolution and recovery of their lost funds.
Key points
- The company collected millions of naira from residents for cheap food items before shutting down.
- The operators of Global Food Initiative and their phone numbers are currently unreachable.
- Security personnel were deployed to maintain order as protesters demanded investigation and refund.
