The Onitsha Drug Market, which was shut down by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) during a crackdown on illicit drugs has been reopened.
NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, Martins Iluyomade, on Thursday confirmed the reopening noting that the decision to reopen the market came after a meeting with officials from the Anambra State government and market union representatives.
He stated that trading activities in the markets would resume on Friday.
The closure, which affected other sectors of the markets, like the plumbing materials market, timber market, surgical materials market, and science laboratory materials market, was part of the agency’s broader effort to curb the circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs.
Iluyomade, while addressing stakeholders before announcing the reopening, explained the rationale behind the agency’s actions: “What is happening here goes beyond only Ogbogwu (drug) market; it extends to other markets around this area, and that was why we took the steps we did by closing down everywhere.
“I know there was a lot of apprehension, and people were asking why we locked other markets that had nothing to do with drugs. It seemed as if we were out to punish those who had no involvement. We did not respond because we did not want to join issues, but we found drugs in all the markets we closed.
“What we found in other adjoining markets was just as much as what we found in Ogbogwu market. We did what we did because, if we hadn’t, we wouldn’t have covered the ground we were able to cover.”
He recalled past challenges the agency faced during enforcement operations, including an incident where NAFDAC officials were attacked: “We were here last year for an operation, but our men were beaten, and even an officer of the Federal Republic was stripped naked for doing his legitimate duty.
“We had to lock up everywhere because, if we hadn’t, there would have been collateral damage. This is a major drug market, and if something goes wrong here, drug supplies all over the country will be contaminated.”
Iluyomade acknowledged Governor Charles Soludo’s role in supporting the agency’s efforts despite initial concerns: “We thank Governor Soludo for his visit. When he heard what we did here, he called to express concern about the welfare of his people, and when we explained to him, he backed the effort to sanitize the market. He later visited us and reiterated the same support as long as what we were doing was right.
“People were already bringing ethnic coloration into it, but I thank the governor for not listening to them. In fact, the governor said there was a need for us to save ourselves because fake drugs kill indiscriminately, regardless of ethnicity.”