The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered dangerous counterfeit products during an extensive operation at the Eziukwu Market (Cemetery Market) in Aba, Abia State, describing the items as “weapons of mass destruction.”
The operation followed a similar raid in the same market months ago, targeting shops dealing in fake and adulterated products.
Martins Iluyomade, Director of NAFDAC’s Southeast Zone, who led the operation, emphasized the agency’s commitment to holding culprits accountable.
He expressed concern over the persistence of market traders who continue to prioritize profit over the safety of consumers.
Iluyomade pointed out that a previous agreement was signed by market leadership in December 2023, committing to assist in identifying those involved in these illegal activities.
However, he warned that NAFDAC would revisit the agreement, holding market leaders accountable for the ongoing offenses.
The operation uncovered a range of substandard products, including imported and locally brewed beverages, wines, whiskey, yogurts, carbonated drinks, dry gin, and chips, all being produced in unhygienic conditions.
Many of these items were found to be repackaged and relabeled expired products, which were then sold to unsuspecting buyers both within and outside the market.
We were here last year and we’re back here on credible intelligence that the people are recovering in their nefarious business. I’m short of words with what I’m seeing here.
I feel like shading tears. I don’t understand why people will be recalcitrant and hell-bent on making money at the expense of the health and wellbeing of their fellow citizens.
What we met today is not different from what we saw last year, if not much more. It’s quite disheartening. Honestly, I feel like crying. There’re no drinks you’re looking for in Nigeria that’s not been manufactured here.
It’s quite difficult for you to know the difference.
I call it destruction because what they make here is weapons of mass destruction. They’re killing people, en masse.”
The zonal director said that henceforth, a lot of measure have been put in place to deal with the situation at the Eziukwu Market permanently, as the agency led by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has zero tolerance for such activities.
There are measures put in place to deal with what is happening here henceforth. I’ll not say it out here, but be rest assured that, there are measures already put in place even to the highest level of government in the state against these activities here once and for all. People cannot continue to kill their fellow citizens in the name of making money.
We did a follow-up with our engagement last year, with the Governor who’s doing a marvelous job in the state. He has given us marching orders to do something, and I think this time is the right time to do those things. He’s definitely not in support of the destruction that’s going on here in the name of business.”
According to Iluyomade, NAFDAC came to the market on Monday because it felt it was the right time to have proper access around the market and find out the reality on the ground.
They don’t normally produce because of the sit-at-home issue. This is exactly why we didn’t meet people today.
“So, it’s normal that we’ll not meet people on Mondays, but it gives us the opportunity to screen and move around easily.
If this were to be a normal day, movement will be hard. Many people who don’t know what we’re doing will be everywhere and the environment will not be calm for us to do our jobs of cleaning this place properly.
“Sponsored thugs and many people will want to stop and disrupt this operation, but this day gives us a good opportunity to save lives of consumers by getting the products.
However, we’ve gotten credible information on specific people and individuals that we have to follow up unlike what happened before. So, we’ll follow them up henceforth.”
Giving his words of advice to consumers on the festive season, the Zonal Director warned that every consumer needs to be painstaking when exchanging their money for goods.
Our message is that everybody must shine their eyes. Let them be careful in this season of merriment to avoid damage of kidney and liver. Let them buy registered products from accredited distributors only. They’re everywhere, so people should take out time and find them.
Again, people should do some basic checks. There are mixtures of names that are replica of the original products but the problem is that the consumers are not diligent enough to check what they’re buying. They should properly look at the labels of their products.
Last, when a real product is selling for a certain amount of naira and a seller is giving you the product at a cut half price of the original you already know, is that not enough red flag for you to avoid that place?
They’ll tell you it’s type two or number two, just because they felt the original is expensive. Why not avoid what you can’t buy? Drink your water instead of buying substandard to destroy your body.”
On expired products, Iluyomade said that the amount of expired products he saw being re-validated weakened him the most and advised consumers to be watchful.
Our people should look at the pack of the products when it looks older than the date marking. They should know that such products have been re-validated.
When packs are scratchy and the date markings are very clear and crispy, you should know that something is wrong. Consumers should open their eyes.”
©CDA News
