ONITSHA, Anambra State, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) don stand gidigba for their recent operations wey dem carry out for Onitsha Bridge Head Market, after criticism don scatter social media. One viral video wey controversial influencer Martins Otse, wey dem sabi as VeryDarkMan, talk say NAFDAC dey ask each shop owner to pay N700,000 before dem go reopen their shops after shut down.
Even though NAFDAC no answer the claim directly, dem clear say traders wey comply with wetin dey regulate don go back to business, with over 2,500 traders in 3,500 shops dey operate since March 9, 2025. For statement as e signed by Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC explain say dis enforcement wey happen between February 9 and March 27, 2025, focus on unregistered, banned, expired, substandard medicines, as well as controlled substances.
Dem raid three major open drug markets – Idumota (Lagos), Ariaria (Aba), and Bridgehead (Onitsha) – and dem seize and destroy medicines wey worth over N1 trillion. NAFDAC talk say dem markets no meet Good Storage and Distribution Practices, and dem no get proper registration under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
According to NAFDAC, state governments don give moratorium for traders to move to a Coordinated Wholesale Centre wey meet regulatory standards. Dem add say, “Due to intervention of respective state governments, traders get moratorium to relocate to a conducive Coordinated Warehouse Centre where their activities fit dey monitored and controlled, as dem still remain accountable for previous infractions.”
“The market reopen on March 9, 2025, and over 2,500 traders with 3,500 shops wey comply with regulations don resume normal activities for Ogbogwu Market. Na only di few shops wey remain and no get identity na im be those wey dey link to banned narcotics as per our database,” NAFDAC further explain.
Dem also express concern over VDM’s videos, saying dem fit incite people and possibly dey breach Cybercrime Act. “NAFDAC don notice misleading videos wey dey trend for social media wey dey incite traders at Onitsha Bridge Head Market by the influencer. We dey alert the public and security agencies say this incitement fit be violation of Cybercrime Act,” di statement talk.
NAFDAC urge law-abiding citizens make dem continue their normal activities, assuring say dem go identify and prosecute anybody wey dey sell fake drugs or dey contribute to insecurity. “Di influencer dey openly encourage him audience to defy NAFDAC’s regulatory processes after di enforcement operations. NAFDAC go allow law enforcement to check if e don violate any law, especially incitement through di video content,” di agency clarify.
“NAFDAC dey committed to ensure say all medical products, medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and others wey dey Nigeria get good quality, safe, and effective. We dey watch over these things to prevent deaths among pregnant women, children, and adults wey get chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. NAFDAC dey operate strictly within its mandate,” di statement conclude.
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