The National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake goods including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, and vegetable oils among other products valued at ₦5 billion during a raid at Eziukwu Market, in Aba, Abia State by its officials.
In a statement signed by the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, and obtained by Investors King on Wednesday, December 18, the agency disclosed that the raid, which was carried out on December 16 and 17, followed credible information received by its team.
NAFDAC described the market as a hub for fake and expired products emphasizing that its officials sealed 150 shops during the raids.
The agency gave the list of the fake products uncovered in the market to include beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items such as noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt.
Part of the statement reads, “The team uncovered large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items such as noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt.
“The destroyed items were valued at ₦5 billion.
NAFDAC faulted the market leaders for failing to comply with their December 2023 agreement thereby hindering efforts by the agency to curb the illegal activities in the market.
“Describing the market as a hub for counterfeit and substandard products, the Director of South-East Zone, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, expressed dismay at the continued illegal activities, despite a previous undertaking signed by market leaders in December 2023 to expose counterfeiters,” the statement added.
The NAFDAC boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to its core mandate – safeguarding public health – adding that it will not relent on seeking a permanent solution to the problem of counterfeit products in the market.
This development highlights the rise in the production and distribution of fake products in Nigeria giving NAFDAC and its officers great concerns as the agency is tasked with the responsibility of combating this illegal venture.