NAFDAC battles VDM over alleged inciting video

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has defended its recent enforcement operations at Onitsha Bridge Head Market, Anambra State, following criticism circulating on social media.

A viral video by controversial influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, alleged that NAFDAC demanded N700,000 from each shop owner as a condition to reopen their shops after many were shut down.

NAFDAC did not directly address this specific claim but emphasised that traders who complied with regulatory requirements have been permitted to resume business, with over 2,500 traders in 3,500 shops operational since March 9, 2025.

In a statement signed by Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC clarified that the enforcement, conducted between February 9 and March 27, 2025, targeted unregistered, banned, expired, substandard, and falsified medicines, including controlled substances.

The raids took place at three major open drug markets—Idumota (Lagos), Ariaria (Aba), and Bridgehead (Onitsha)—resulting in the seizure and destruction of medicines valued at over N1 trillion.

The agency explained that these markets failed to meet Good Storage and Distribution Practices and lacked proper registration under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.

State governments granted a moratorium allowing traders to relocate to a Coordinated Wholesale Centre that meets regulatory standards, NAFDAC added. Punch