The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently exposed illicit operations in the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, where counterfeit wines and fizzy drinks were being manufactured. The agency, acting on information from concerned citizens, discovered numerous shops filled with adulterated products from various brands, leading to the arrest of ten suspects and the temporary closure of the market.
Martin Iluyomade, the director of the South-East zone of NAFDAC, stated that the situation in the market was severe, comparing it to the activities of Boko Haram. The agency, in collaboration with the state government, identified and dismantled 240 shops used for the illegal manufacturing of fake consumables. Iluyomade emphasized the need to eradicate fake products from the market to address health issues in the country.
Following the raids, NAFDAC’s director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed that the illicit activities had been ongoing for an extended period, orchestrated by a cartel that threatened anyone challenging them. Over 1500 cartons of fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation, with an estimated street value exceeding N750 million. Ten individuals were arrested, and an investigation will precede their court appearance.
This development underscores the imperative of curbing economic sabotage, protecting manufacturers’ reputations, and safeguarding public health from the dangers posed by adulterated products. The regulatory agencies, particularly NAFDAC, are urged to strengthen monitoring efforts and enforce severe sanctions to eliminate the prevalence of fake goods in the market. Additionally, there is a call for a business-friendly environment to discourage illegal activities and promote genuine production in the country.