National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has expressed shock and concern over reports that some individuals have forcefully reopened sections of the Eziukwu Road International Market in Aba that were sealed following a recent crackdown on counterfeit and adulterated products.
NAFDAC South-East Zonal Director, Martins Iluyomade, reacting to the development, stated that the agency had not authorized the reopening of the affected zones and was actively investigating the matter.
“We were shocked to hear that some persons have reopened the sealed sections—Zone 9, Zone 13, and Zone 15—without authorization. The market remains officially closed as investigations are still ongoing. We have deployed our team to verify the reports, and anyone found responsible will face appropriate action,” Iluyomade said.
The agency had conducted a major raid on the market between December 16 and 17, 2023, sealing over 300 shops identified as production and distribution hubs for fake and substandard products. During the operation, counterfeit goods worth over ₦5 billion were seized and destroyed.
During a recent meeting involving NAFDAC, the Abia State Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Kingsley Nwokocha, and market stakeholders, Iluyomade reaffirmed that the sealed sections would only be reopened after due deliberation and approval from NAFDAC’s national leadership.
However, in a move that has raised alarm, some individuals allegedly led by one Kingsley Igwe and backed by the purported new market leadership, headed by one Oba Moses, reportedly stormed the market on Saturday, February 1, and unsealed the affected areas. The group allegedly directed affected traders to return to their shops by Monday.
Iluyomade emphasized that NAFDAC is taking the breach seriously, warning that any attempt to undermine the agency’s regulatory authority would not be tolerated.
“The reopening of those sections without clearance is a violation of regulatory procedures. We are investigating, and appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” he added.
The incident comes just a day after Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with NAFDAC to eliminate fake and counterfeit products in the state.
As the situation unfolds, NAFDAC has reiterated its determination to maintain strict regulatory oversight and ensure that public health and safety are not compromised.
