The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has made a major breakthrough in the crackdown on illegal beverage production, leading to the arrest of 10 suspects and the temporary closure of Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State.
During a raid on the market, NAFDAC’s Director for the South-East Zone, Martins Iluyomade, revealed that the suspects had occupied over 240 shops meant for legitimate traders, repurposing them into large-scale production centers for adulterated beverages and drugs.
Iluyomade expressed dismay over the gravity of the situation, equating it to a form of warfare, stating, “What’s happening here at Cemetery Market, Aba is worse than Boko Haram.”
He highlighted the extent of the illicit activities, emphasizing the production of fake consumables and the revalidation of expiry dates on products. This bleak discovery prompted NAFDAC to swiftly take action, resulting in the arrests and the market’s temporary shutdown.
Describing the magnitude of the confiscated fake products, Iluyomade noted, “Four trailers cannot carry the fake products we moved out from here.” He underscored the pervasive health hazards posed by these counterfeit goods and emphasized NAFDAC’s unwavering commitment to eradicating fake products from the market.
Reacting to the development, the Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders condemned the illicit activities, calling for stringent measures to address the production and sale of adulterated products. They urged the National Assembly to consider amending the constitution to include capital punishment for offenders involved in producing and selling adulterated products. Additionally, they implored the Abia State Governor to collaborate with NAFDAC to cleanse the market of illegal activities and safeguard legitimate business endeavors.
The Aba Unit of the Civil Liberties Organisation described the situation as tantamount to terrorism and urged NAFDAC and other law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to curb the prevalence of fake, substandard, and expired products in the market. The organization emphasized that NAFDAC’s proactive stance could make a pivotal difference in determining the continuity or cessation of such nefarious activities.
This decisive move by NAFDAC underscores the necessity for robust measures to combat the production and sale of adulterated products, safeguarding public health and restoring integrity to the marketplace.
