NAFDAC officials conducting a raid at the Area 1 motor park in Abuja were violently attacked by hoodlums on Monday. The confrontation, which led to the stoning of the agency’s vehicle and the harassment of enforcement officers, escalated to the point where police intervention was necessary.
Umar-Ahmed Suleiman, the team leader and Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer at NAFDAC, explained that the raid was prompted by intelligence regarding the prevalence of substandard drugs in the park. Despite the violent resistance faced during the operation, the enforcement team managed to seize a substantial amount of controlled drugs, including Rohypnol, Dizapam, Tramadol, Cocodamol, and codeine syrups, with a combined value exceeding N5 million.
Although the raid was disrupted by the hoodlum’s aggression, Mr. Suleiman emphasized that the enforcement unit is undeterred and will return to the troublesome area of the motor park to complete the operation.
The incident highlights the pervasive issue of substandard drug sales in the area, and underscores the challenges faced by NAFDAC in combating the illicit drug trade.
