The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, adulterated, and unregistered food, drug, and cosmetic products worth approximately N2.7 billion in the South-East region of Nigeria.
According to NAFDAC, the products, which were seized in recent raids, were incinerated at the Enugu State refuse dumpsite in Ugwuonyeama, Enugu.
Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC stated that the destroyed products would have compromised the health of over three million people and increased the health burden on already overstretched health institutions.
Adeyeye said:
“These products would have increased the poverty rate by making people spend money they should use to improve their livelihoods on medical trips.”
Adeyeye, who was represented by Martins Iluyomade, Director of the South-East zone, revealed that several people have lost their lives due to the consumption of these substandard products.
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She said:
“This event today is to signal to the people of the South-East that it is no longer business as usual for merchants of death who are hell-bent on destroying others for their selfish economic gain.”
NAFDAC urged the public to join the fight against unscrupulous manufacturers and businessmen engaging in illicit practices.
Adeyeye said:
“We enjoin the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office for prompt investigation.”
Earlier, Iluyomade revealed the strategic importance of the South-East region in achieving NAFDAC’s mandate.
He said:
“If we get it right in the South-East, 70% of our mandate will be achieved.”
He explained that several raids and routine activities have led to the confiscation of numerous fake, substandard, and adulterated products, which are injurious to the health of Nigerians, especially those in the region.
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