The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed 150 shops at the Eziukwu Market in Aba, Abia State, after uncovering fake and expired products worth ₦5 billion.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the agency revealed that the two-day operation, conducted on Monday and Tuesday, exposed large-scale production and distribution of counterfeit items. These included beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items like noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt.
Describing the market as a hub for counterfeit and substandard products, NAFDAC South-East Zonal Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, expressed disappointment at the persistence of illegal activities despite a prior agreement by market leaders in December 2023 to combat such practices.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s zero tolerance for counterfeiting and stressed its commitment to safeguarding public health while working on lasting solutions to the menace of counterfeit goods.