The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) conducted a raid in Abuja at the Nyanya/Mararaba area, targeting street vendors selling unwholesome drugs. As a result of the operation, goods valued at forty-five million naira (N45m) were confiscated. Mr. Umar Suleiman, the leader of the operation and an Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer of the Federal Task Force, Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, informed reporters in Abuja that the raid was carried out following prior surveillance conducted by the agency's enforcement unit. The operation also aimed to verify the presence of Baban Aisha Herbal products in the market. It should be noted that Baban Aisha production factory was previously raided by NAFDAC for selling unregistered herbal products along the Abuja/Kaduna road. NAFDAC had accused Baban Aisha of using the privilege of having some registered herbal medicines to sell others that were yet to be registered. Additionally, NAFDAC raided and sealed Al-Nassar Islamic Herbal medicine store located at No. 151 Minna Road, Suleja, Niger State.
During the operation, NAFDAC apprehended five hawkers of the unwholesome drugs, while one managed to escape. The seized products included sex enhancers such as Night Rocket, Black Diamond, double Rocket, AK-47, and others. Various herbal preparation medicines like transformer, maibulala, and maibusher were also confiscated. At the Suleja shop alone, drugs worth N35 million were found, and an estimated N10 million worth of goods were seized from the hawkers. It was observed that some of the drugs at the Suleja shop were not herbal and contained pornographic images that were not approved by NAFDAC. This indicates that the shop owner may be involved in bulk distribution, suggesting that targeting the main supplier would restrict access for retailers. NAFDAC intends to expand its search operations to other regulated products, including food, cosmetics, medical devices, detergent, packaged water, and chemicals. The agency is focusing on drug products due to their potential impact on the human body and their daily usage. In the near future, NAFDAC plans to conduct search missions on pharmaceutical stores and warehouses as part of its ongoing efforts to eliminate counterfeit and fake drugs.
NAFDAC expressed appreciation to Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, for her support to the investigation and enforcement unit, which has enhanced their operations. Embugushiki Godiya, the Desk Officer of the Investigation and Enforcement unit at the Federal Task Force of NAFDAC, also commended the media for their support in raising awareness about the unit's activities. The recent raid serves as a warning to individuals planning to sell similar unwholesome medicines. NAFDAC urges Nigerians to refrain from patronizing street vendors selling drugs, as their support is crucial in eradicating such activities. The agency acknowledges the media's role in amplifying its enforcement efforts.
