Florence Sadiku
THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has declared Eziukwu Market, popularly known as Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, a hub for the production and distribution of fake and substandard drinks and beverages.
The agency during a two-day operation on 16 and 17 December 2024 shut down 150 shops at the market.
A team of NAFDAC officials uncovered large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items such as noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt. The destroyed items were valued at Five Billion Naira (₦5,000,000,000.00) only.
Describing the market as a hub for counterfeit and substandard products, the Director of South-East Zone, Dr. Martins Iluyomade expressed dismay at the continued illegal activities, despite a previous undertaking signed by market leaders in December 2023 to expose counterfeiters.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye reaffirms the Agency’s zero tolerance for such practices and emphasizes its unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health while working toward a permanent solution to the problem of counterfeit products in the market.
Eighteen-Eleven Media