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Tag: NAFDAC

  • NAFDAC warns against use of excess hydroquinone

    NAFDAC warns against use of excess hydroquinone

  • NAFDAC confiscates harmful bleaching products in Kano

    NAFDAC confiscates harmful bleaching products in Kano

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested six persons and sealed several shops in Sabon Gari, Kano, over illegal sale of skin-bleaching creams.

    Kano State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr Kasim Ibrahim, disclosed this during a press briefing on Tuesday in Kano.

    He said the operation followed public complaints received on social media, as well as a directive from the agency’s director-general.

    “Following complaints received through various social media channels and a directive from the director-general, we carried out discreet surveillance and mystery shopping on the products in question,” Ibrahim said.

    He explained that the agency’s investigation uncovered six suspects involved in the distribution and unregulated use of bleaching creams.

    ”The products were allegedly marketed as beauty spa treatments but contained harmful and unapproved substances.

    “After thorough analysis and robust discussions, we identified approximately six individuals involved in these illegal activities,” Ibrahim stated.

    He said the raid conducted in collaboration with NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, led to the arrest of the suspects, profiling of their products, collection of samples for laboratory analysis, and sealing of the affected shops.

    Ibrahim added that other companies found to be faking registered cosmetics or violating regulatory provisions were also sealed, pending further action.

    NAFDAC further reiterated its regulatory mandate to oversee the manufacture, distribution, and sale of regulated products, including cosmetics, to safeguard public health.

    “It is in fulfilment of this mandate that we took action to prevent potential public health disasters of significant magnitude. These criminal activities posed serious threats to public safety,” Ibrahim said.

    He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the agency, emphasising NAFDAC’s commitment, under the leadership of Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to strict regulatory enforcement.”

    “We encourage all Nigerians, if you see something, say something, to help prevent public health emergencies,” he said.

    Ibrahim thanked the media for their support and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians.

  • NAFDAC uncovers expired beverages worth N35m in Kaduna

    NAFDAC uncovers expired beverages worth N35m in Kaduna

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted and uncovered expired beverages worth N35 million in Kaduna State.

    Addressing newsmen on Tuesday in Kaduna, Andrew Tamanuwa, Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC Kaduna Office, said that interception of the expired beverages followed a tip-off from a good samaritan on Sunday evening.

    Tamanuwa said a good samaritan informed NAFDAC that two buses and a golf wagon car were loaded with expired non-alcoholic beverages heading to Kwanar Dangora, Kiru LGA in Kano State.

    He, therefore, said NAFDAC investigation and enforcement operatives swung into action, intercepted the vehicles and arrested the owner of the expired non-alcoholic beverages.

    Tamanuwa said the NAFDAC operatives confiscated the products which comprised 700 packs of Schweppes and 300 packs of Fanta Orange flavour.

    He added that further investigation led to a warehouse at Bayajidda Road, Kaduna, where more expired beverages were discovered.

    Tamanuwa said the expired beverages included; 588 packs of schweppes, 3,508 packs of Coca-Cola, zero- sugar, and 87 packs of fanta orange flavor.

    He stated that the products expired in November 2024 and had beer evacuated to the agency’s warehouse, awaiting destruction.

    Tamanuwa said investigation was ongoing on the case in order to identify other culprits.

    He appealed to the public to report suspicious products, especially during the festive period to safeguard public health and protect Nigerians’ health.

    Tamanuwa reiterated the agency’s commitment to continuing vigilance against expired and harmful products, assuring Nigerians of its resolve to safeguard their health.

  • NAFDAC will not bow to pressure – Adeyeye

    NAFDAC will not bow to pressure – Adeyeye

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday said the agency will not bow to any pressure in its bid to rid the country of banned, counterfeit, unregistered and harmful drugs.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye made this known at a news conference in Lagos while reacting to claims that the agency forced some traders to pay ₦700,000 for a service they were unaware of.

    She said NAFDAC recent enforcement operation in Idumota, Aba and Onitsha open drug market where harmful and banned drugs worth over one trillion Naira were evacuated was a measure taken by the agency to safeguard the health of the nation.

    She said the charges imposed on the traders are investigative charges which were reduced from N5 million to N200,000 for sales of unregistered drugs and N2million to N500,000 for violation of storage after rigorous consultation.

    The D-G said over 2500 traders with 3500 shops have resumed their normal activity in Ogbogwu market in Onitsha after paying the investigative charges and evacuation of drugs that contravene NAFDAC regulations were removed from the shops.

    She said that NAFDAC’s decision to seal shops and imposed investigative charges followed due process.

    “The charges are Federal government gazetted charges and payments. The agency will not cave in to pressure and there will not be unconstitutional opening of any shops that are yet to comply with NAFDAC directives.

    “We will not close our eyes to these evil acts that have killed thousands of innocent children and women that died due to fake and substandard medicines,” she said.

    Adeyeye said those spreading propaganda against the agency are done traders who brought banned narcotics to the country and are not ready to abide by the rules of the land.

    She urged Nigerians not to politicise the issue, adding that the agency will continue to take measures that would be in the best interest of the nation.

    Adeyeye assured Nigerians that the agency will continue to work within the purview of it mandate to safeguard the nation’s health.

  • Anambra traders drag NAFDAC to court over N700,000 extortion charge

    Anambra traders drag NAFDAC to court over N700,000 extortion charge

    Traders inside the popular Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State have filed a suit against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC over the reopening of the market, shut since February 15, 2025.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Operatives of NAFDAC, led by the Director, South-East Zone, Dr Martins Iluyomade, had in February 9 raided the market and uncovered over 10 trucks of fake products estimated at over N1 trillion.

    The fake drugs were later destroyed at the ASWAMA dump site in Awka, by the agency, after the exercise.

    In a new twist to the drama, the affected traders are alleging that NAFDAC imposed a fine of N700,000 on each of them before reopening of their shops.

    The affected traders, described the action of NAFDAC as scandalous, outrageous and reprehensible, adding that they had documented evidence to prove that NAFDAC had officially collected the sum of N700,000 from every shop owner in the drug market, in order to allow them have access to their shops.

    They alleged further that over 1,000 shop owners have paid the contentious N700,000 access fee.

    The aggrieved traders, under the aegis of United Nigeria Group approached the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital, praying the court to enforce their fundamental rights, including the immediate reopening of the market.

    According to the suit No: FHC/AWK/CD/53/2025, hearing will continue on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

    The suit instituted at the Federal High court sitting at Awka, Anambra State capital, by United Nigeria Group (plaintiff) is against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Inspector General of Police, IGP, Chief of Army Staff, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, and three others, (respondents), over the continued closure of the market on claim that the market deals in fake drugs.

    When the case came up for hearing on May 22, 2025, the lead counsel to the applicant, ChibuikeNwabuezeEsq and Chief Barr Oluoba, brought the attention of the court presided over by Justice I. Anyadike, to the continued closure of the Ogbo-Ogwu Market (106 days), since 9/2/25 when it was first sealed by the operatives of NAFDAC and other security agencies.

    The applicant’s counsel also informed the court of the NAFDAC imposed levy of between N700,000 to N1.3 million on each member of the applicants before his shop can be opened for business without any court order or approval.

    However, NAFDAC, led by Martins Iluyomade, its counsel, Jombo Washington Esq, denied the imposition of N700,000 levy on traders before their shops could be reopened for trading.

    He also denied that the Ogbo-Ogwu Market Onitsha is under seal, adding that the market has since been unsealed by NAFDAC and traders have gained access to their shops and doing their normal business.

    At the resumed hearing of the suit filed by Peter Okala and three others on behalf of members of United Nigeria Group against NAFDAC and six others, only lawyers representing NAFDAC and the Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON the third respondent announced appearance in the case.

    In a further affidavit in support of the suit, deposed to by Peter Okala and filed in court on 17th of April, the applicants deposed, amongst others, that the claim by “NAFDAC on social media that the drugs they carted away from Onitsha are fake and substandard drugs are not true, but calculated to tarnish the image of thousands of responsible and genuine traders at Ogbo-Ogwu Market, Onitsha.

    “The claim by NAFDAC on social media that Ogbogwu market Onitsha has been reopened for business since February is not true but aimed at misleading members of the general public as well as grounding the source of livelihood of the South easterners.”

    The applicants claimed that in a press release dated April 2, 2025, NAFDAC directed shop owners to sign an undertaking, along with a penalty of between N500, 000 to N1.3m for past violations.

    “They rejected this criminal fine on its members and called on the Federal Minister of Health, National Security Adviser, members of the National Assembly and the Honourable court to come to their rescue.

    “That the continued closure of the market has resulted in mass death of some affected traders whose goods were impounded and carted away in their absence to unknown destinations without any court order or search warrant.

    “That accepting to pay the amount imposed by NAFDAC shows that the applicants (members), deal in fake, adulterated, unwholesome drugs; unregistered and banned drugs which is not true.”

    The presiding judge, Justice Anyadike, after hearing the submissions of both counsels, adjourned the matter to Thursday, May 29, 2025 for further hearing.

  • NAFDAC burst fake drugs factory in Delta

    NAFDAC burst fake drugs factory in Delta

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has bursted a fake drug factory in an uncompleted three storey building at Azagba Ogwashi in Aniocha LGA in Delta.

    The NAFDAC Director, South – East Zone, Dr Martins Iluyomade disclosed this at a press briefing in Asaba on Tuesday.

    He said that the agency would consider the option of seizing any building used for illicit drug manufacturing and relabelling of expired drugs.

    ”I feel very sad for our country, and the kind of things that are playing out. Only God knows how many people have died from consumption of the illicit drugs produced by these merchants who are looking for money at all cost.

    ”They are perpetrating these heinous crimes using all manners of avenue including inciting the public against what NAFDAC is doing.

    “They are even using their ill gotten money after killing a lot of people. Nigerians need to be very vigilant.”

    According to Iluyomade, the prime suspect, one Ekene Igwe, now at large is one of the major traders at Ogbo-Ogu at  Bridge Head drug market in Onitsha, Anambra.

    He said the suspect and his wife, one Blessing Igwe had been together in this illicit drug business.

    “What these drug merchants have done since they knew that Ogbo- Ogu market is no longer safe for their illicit drug business, they have moved out to neighbouring places like Asaba in uncompleted buildings, relabelling injectable that expired far back seven  years ago.

    “This issue of illicit drug business has been on for several years, and there has not been any solution. This time, NAFDAC is coming forward with solution to make sure that Nigerians are safe, and we are able to safeguard the health of the public,” Iluyomade said.

    While displaying the drugs, Mr Babatunji Omoyeni, Deputy Director, NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, South-South and South-East, said the agency successfully tracked a drug shop at Ogbo-Ogu, where illicit drugs produced are sold to unsuspecting buyers.

    According to Omoyeni, the seizures at the illicit drug factory included a big drum containing vials soaked in liquid substance and adulterated drugs.

    “They are rebranding expired drugs including large quantity of chloroquine phosphate 322 mg/5ml, petazine injection 50mg/2ml, gentamycin injection 280mg/2ml and many other contraband injectable with new labelling.”

    He said the agency recorded the breakthrough following a tip off from concerned members of the public.

    Omoyeni, said efforts were being  intensified to track the prime suspect, adding that his wife has been apprehended and arraigned before a competent court for trial and prosecution over her level of involvement in the illicit drug business.

    NAFDAC displayed the fake drugs and printed packs of drugs-injections while journalists were taken to the building housing the fake drug factory in Azagba-Ogwashi in Asaba Capital Territory.

    According to NAFDAC, the injectables recovered from the three storey building include eight packs of expired chloroquine phosphate which expired August 2018.

    “35 amps of engometrin that expired in July 2020, 30 amps of petazine,  70 amps of gentamycine, 200 packs of unexpired chloroquine phosphate, 35 amps of engometrin.

    “Also displayed were 50 amps of promethazine, 3000 amps of unidentified injection wrapped with papers, 1300  printed packs of drugs ( injection), 2 sets of generator and 1 drum containing nails soaked  in liquid substances.

  • Peter Obi urges NAFDAC to reopen Onitsha market shops, scrap N700,000 charge

    Peter Obi urges NAFDAC to reopen Onitsha market shops, scrap N700,000 charge

    The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi, has faulted the alleged demand by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) requiring traders at the Onitsha Head Bridge Drug Market to pay ₦700,000 before reopening their shops.

    The former Anambra governor described the move as “disturbing, uncaring, and an economic sabotage” against struggling small business owners.

    Obi in his statement on Tuesday emphasized that government agencies should prioritize compassion and economic support, especially during times of widespread financial hardship.

    His statement comes after NAFDAC kept mum on whether it is actually collecting the fee which some traders had confided in social media influencer, Martins Otse known for his influence name, VeryDarkMan or VDM that they had paid.

    A viral video by VDM, had alleged that NAFDAC demanded N700,000 from each shop owner to reopen their shops.

    Although the agency through its Director General Agency, Prof Christiana Adeyeye, in a press statement on Monday, threatened the influencer with the Cybercrime Act without denying the allegation.

    NAFDAC DG only screamed “These markets lacked basic registration and compliance with Good Storage and Distribution Practices, posing a grave risk to public health,” without stating if the alleged fee was to fix the environment or what it was meant for.

    The Onitsha Head Bridge Market, known for its pharmaceutical hub, was shut down over what NAFDAC said was its regulatory effort to clamp down on counterfeit drugs.

    Obi explained that, “I recall visiting the Head Bridge Market during the initial phase of its closure, standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods.

    “I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.”

    Obi noted that the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are already on the brink of collapse due to economic pressures.

    “Already, over 7 million MSMEs have collapsed in the past two years in Nigeria. Our MSMEs are at a ‘we can’t breathe’ stage,” he said.
    “And the very system that should be offering them oxygen to support their breathing is instead suffocating them.”

    Calling for urgent intervention, Obi appealed directly to regulatory authorities and government stakeholders.

    “I want to appeal again to the relevant authorities: please review and drop this charge. Allow these businesses to reopen,” he urged.

    “These shop owners have already endured prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and economic strain. Adding further burdens to them and their families at this time is simply unjust.”

    Obi stressed that while regulation and the fight against fake drugs are essential, the approach must be humane and economically sensitive.

    “Compassion must lie at the root of government action,” he said. “This level of insensitivity is both disturbing and uncaring.”

  • NAFDAC reacts to VeryDarkMan’s ‘₦700,000’ demand allegation against agency

    NAFDAC reacts to VeryDarkMan’s ‘₦700,000’ demand allegation against agency

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned controversial influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), against inciting traders at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market against the agency.

    TheNewsGuru reports that VDM, in a recent viral video, alleged that NAFDAC staff asked the traders at Ogbogwu market to pay the sum of N700,000 to have their shops reopened.

    In the video, he stated that he had never been to Onitsha, but that alleged extortion and stealing by NAFDAC officials prompted his visit to the state. He noted that he has come to call NAFDAC out but to stop such evil acts.

    “I have never been here before, a very important thing has brought me here. What brought me here is what I call extortion and stealing from NAFDAC, and I want to call them out so that they will stop. For what you people are doing here are evil.”

    He further stated that, according to the traders, over 5000 shops were closed by the agency on the basis that they sell fake drugs.

    He added that after three months, NAFDAC tasked the traders to pay the sum of N500,000 to have their shops opened, and later increased the levy to N700,000 after two weeks.

    Quoting VDM, “NAFDAC, my question is this, the N700,000 fine imposed on the traders, is it a guarantee to continue to produce fake drugs? Again, if they truly carried fake drugs, where are the people you caught? Are you not supposed to prosecute them while the people with genuine drugs continue their businesses?”

    However, speaking via a statement signed by its Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC clarified that traders who complied with regulatory requirements have been permitted to resume business, with over 2,500 traders in 3,500 shops operational since March 9, 2025.

    The regulatory body stated that the enforcement, conducted between February 9 and March 27, 2025, targeted unregistered, banned, expired, substandard, and falsified medicines, including controlled substances.

    The agency explained that markets that were raided failed to meet Good Storage and Distribution Practices and lacked proper registration under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.

    “State governments granted a moratorium allowing traders to relocate to a Coordinated Wholesale Centre that meets regulatory standards,” NAFDAC added.

    “Due to the intervention of respective state governments, traders were given a moratorium to relocate to a conducive Coordinated Warehouse Centre where their activities can be monitored and controlled, while they remain accountable for previous infractions as a deterrent in accordance with gazetted regulations.

    “The market reopened on March 9, 2025, and over 2,500 traders with 3,500 shops who complied with regulatory procedures have resumed normal activities at Ogbogwu Market.

    “It is important to note that the few remaining shops whose owners have refused identification are those linked to outrightly banned narcotics according to our database. The cartel and their co-conspirators are responsible for incitements aimed at diverting attention from the real issues to evade justice for heinous crimes against humanity,” the statement said.

    NAFDAC also expressed concern over VDM’s videos, describing them as potentially inciting and possibly in breach of the Cybercrime Act.

    “The agency’s attention has been drawn to misleading videos trending on social media inciting traders at Onitsha Bridge Head Market by a social media influencer. NAFDAC wishes to alert the public and security agencies to this incitement, which may constitute a violation of the Cybercrime Act.

    “The influencer has openly encouraged his audience to defy NAFDAC’s regulatory processes following enforcement operations conducted under the Office of the National Security Adviser. The agency will allow law enforcement to determine if he has violated any laws, particularly regarding incitement through video content.

    “NAFDAC remains committed to ensuring that all medical products medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and others used in Nigeria are of good quality, safe, and efficacious. We continue to monitor these commodities to prevent deaths among pregnant women, children, and adults living with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

    “NAFDAC operates strictly within its mandate,” the statement stated.

  • Senate summons NAFDAC over chemical ripening of fruits

    Senate summons NAFDAC over chemical ripening of fruits

    Senate on Wednesday summoned National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to explain unchecked use of harmful chemicals by fruit vendors to hasten the ripening of fruits.

    This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Sen. Anthony Ani (APC-Ebonyi) during plenary in Abuja.

    The motion is titled “Urgent Need to Investigate and Halt the Continuous Unwholesome Practice of Chemical Ripening of Fruits in Nigeria.”

    Ani lamented that the increasing trend of chemically-induced ripening, is a “dangerous deviation from natural ways for fruits to ripen”.

    He explained that while fruits which naturally ripped have better sweetness, texture and nutritional content, many vendors now turned to harmful agents to force the process and improve appearance for commercial gains.

    “Ethylene and methyl jasmonate may be considered relatively safe,” Ani noted.

    He, however, added that, the problem lies with the widespread use of substances like calcium carbide, ethephon and ethylene glyco-chemicals laced with toxic residues including lead and arsenic.

    The lawmaker warned that these substances are known to cause severe health problems such as cancer, kidney damage, liver failure, neurological disorders and in extreme cases, death.

    Ani attributed the spread of the practice to profit-driven motives and lack of awareness among fruit vendors.

    “People are unknowingly eating poison masked in the form of ripened fruits,” he said.

    The senator also criticised the failure of regulatory enforcement by relevant agencies, stating that many countries have outlawed such chemicals, while Nigeria lagged behind in implementing effective measures.

    The Senate, however, resolved for NAFDAC management to appear before the Committees on Health and Agriculture to detail it on its current interventions and outline future steps to combat chemical ripening;

    The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) were directed to investigate the matter and initiate urgent action.

    It also mandated NAFDAC and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), to increase public education on the health risks associated with artificially ripened fruits;

    The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and Nigerian Customs Service were  equally tasked with stricter inspections on imported fruits especially apples to ensure they are free of harmful preservatives;

    The Senate Committee on Legal Matters was instructed to begin reviewing existing laws to introduce stiffer penalties for violators.

    The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio stressed that safeguarding public health must remain a top priority.

    He warned that the country’s fruit markets must not become breeding grounds for toxic substances disguised as fresh produce.

  • NAFDAC clarifies sachet alcohol ban timeline

    NAFDAC clarifies sachet alcohol ban timeline

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified its stance regarding the nationwide ban on sachet alcohol.

    Mr Kenneth Azikiwe, Director of the FCT Directorate of the agency, told NAN in Abuja on Monday that the temporary lifting of the ban was only valid until Dec. 31, 2025.

    He emphasised that the recent ministerial lifting of the ban was not permanent and urged the public to disregard misinformation suggesting that the government had permanently lifted the restriction.

    “There is a ministerial lifting on the ban of sachet alcohol, but it is only temporary and will be reviewed by Dec. 31, 2025. After this date, the full enforcement of the ban will commence.

    “The minister granted this temporary relief to allow manufacturers and regulators time to collaborate and ensure a more structured and effective implementation of the ban,” Azikiwe stated.”

    He highlighted NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to sensitise the public across the country, noting that awareness campaigns had reached every state.

    “We have sensitised distributors, and we’ve emphasised that alcohol should not be sold to individuals under the age of 18, which is also clearly indicated on product labels,” he added.

    Azikiwe also commended the Distillers and Beverages Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) for supporting the awareness drive.

    He reassured the public that NAFDAC remained fully committed to regulating alcohol consumption and reiterated that sachet alcohol products containing less than 200 milliliters would be phased out after Dec. 2025.