The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has identified Eziukwu Market, commonly known as Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, as a hub for the production and distribution of counterfeit and substandard products. This alarming revelation was made during a recent raid led by NAFDAC’s South-East Director, Mr. Martins Iluyomade, on Tuesday.
Describing the market as a center for mass production of counterfeit goods, Iluyomade compared its activities to “weapons of mass destruction,” citing the serious threat posed to public health. Despite previous crackdowns, including a significant operation in December 2023, the illegal trade persists, raising concerns about the effectiveness of past enforcement efforts.
NAFDAC expressed frustration over the recurrence of counterfeit activities, noting that the market’s leadership had previously signed an agreement with the agency to expose those involved in illegal practices. “The leadership of the market has serious questions to answer,” Iluyomade said, as activities such as re-validating expired products continue unchecked.
The raid uncovered a variety of fake and adulterated goods, including beverages like whiskey, yogurt, wines, carbonated drinks, and dry gin, along with packaged snacks. Many of these items were produced under unsanitary conditions or relabeled with falsified expiration dates.
Among the most concerning discoveries was the re-validation of expired products, a practice that poses significant health risks to consumers. NAFDAC urged the public to remain vigilant when purchasing products to avoid exposure to harmful goods.
In response to the findings, NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting those responsible for these activities as part of its broader effort to protect public health. “We will ensure that those behind these nefarious activities are identified and brought to justice,” Iluyomade vowed.
This raid follows other notable NAFDAC interventions. Recently, the agency destroyed 828 cartons of contaminated Bioflex infusions supplied by a biomedical company in Ilorin after they failed sterility tests. Similarly, the illegal sale of unregistered drugs such as ZACEF-TZ Injection in Abuja has also drawn NAFDAC’s scrutiny.
The agency remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard Nigerians from counterfeit and substandard products, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in reporting suspicious goods.
