The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has seized and eliminated unwholesome, prohibited, counterfeit, and adulterated products valued at over N8 billion in the North-Central region.
While addressing the destruction ceremony on Thursday in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, stated that the products were confiscated from factories, retail locations, markets, and bus stations throughout the region.
The DG, represented by a Deputy Director of NAFDAC in the region, Joseph Edor, stated that the majority of the seized products were prohibited alcoholic drinks in small quantities of under 200 ml (20 cl).
She stated that NAFDAC was created by Decree No. 19 of 1993, as modified, with the purpose of safeguarding and enhancing public health by making certain that only quality, effective, and regulated products are produced, imported, distributed, and sold in Nigeria.
She indicated that the agency prohibited alcoholic drinks in sachets and glass containers under 200ml because their accessibility, low cost, and portability have led to widespread misuse by youths and underage students.
Studies indicate that initial exposure to alcohol impacts the brain and other essential organs like the liver and kidneys.
“It hinders the brain, leading to cognitive impairment, brain injury, inadequate academic performance in students, reduced productivity, and various health issues,” she stated.
The DG stated that the prohibition and later raids stemmed from these abuses, addiction, and negative health impacts, while additional confiscated items comprised expired, counterfeit, and unsanitary food, drugs, and cosmetics.
“During the execution of these tasks, this collection of unhealthy, prohibited, counterfeit, and mixed products valued at approximately eight billion naira was seized from production facilities, retail stores, markets, and transport hubs.”
She emphasized that most of the items in that pile are primarily prohibited alcoholic drinks in small quantities under 200ml (20cl).
The Director-General also praised other law enforcement bodies, partner agencies, and stakeholders for their ongoing cooperation, particularly in sharing intelligence and providing security support during operations.
The Nasarawa State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Dr. Gyani Stephen, who also spoke at the event, clarified that the initiative was not meant to harm individuals but aimed to protect lives.
He urged individuals who routinely sell counterfeit and prohibited items to stop or prepare to encounter the full force of the law, cautioning that the agency would pursue them if they did not alter their behavior.
In his goodwill message, the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Nasarawa State, Daniel Saidu, represented by Yakubu Awoh, praised NAFDAC for protecting lives by routinely seizing and destroying counterfeit and expired drugs.
He stated that permitting these hazardous products into the markets could have ruined millions of lives and impacted the mental health of countless others.
