NAFDAC Sheds Light on Seizure, Destruction of Drugs Worth Trillions in Onitsha, Aba Markets

By Uche Eke

National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC says it has destroyed fake and substandard drugs worth Trillions of Naira seized from Onitsha and Aba drug markets as part of its quest to save the general public from consumption of harmful pharmaceutical products.

The destroyed drugs were siezed after NAFDAC operatives carried out enforcement operations in popular Ogbogwu market and Onitsha, Anambra State and Aba, in Abia state for a period of one month.

According to the agency, part of the commodities set on fire in Awka, Anambra state include expired drugs, unregistered and bamned drugs, as well as donated items that were not suppose to be sold in the markets.

The Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Moji Adeyeye while addressing journalists at ASWAMA dumpsite in Nibo road, Awka, venue of the destruction, regretted that even drugs meant for pregnant women and nursing mothers which should be properly preserved in a refrigerator, were all found parked in hot ovens in the drug markets.

This it said continues to place Nigeria as one of the countries with increased maternal mortality accounting for numerous child and women s death .

Representated by the South East Zonal Cordinator of the agency, Doctor Martins Iluyomade , the NAFDAC DG said about one hundred 40 fit trucks estimated to be over one Trillion naira were being burnt to save millions of Nigerians from untimely deaths and health complications arising from consuming such unwholesome drugs.

According to her, the volume of Narcotics including tramadols discovered during the operation was enough to destabilize the entire entire country as it has been confirmed to be responsible for insecurity as well as several actions in the society.

Professor Adeyeye who reiterated the agency resolve to stamp out ilicite drugs from circulation once and for all, assured that the tempo will be sustained in the interest of the masses who often times take drugs for their well-being but rather ends up becoming worst due to fake and adulterated drugs.

In a remark , the Managing Director, Anambra State Waste Management Agency, ASWAMA, Mr Mike Ozoemena who spoke on behalf of the state government noted that there was a correlation between the counterfeit and banned drugs with the Insecurity that Governor Soludo was already adressing.

He therefore called on NAFDAC not to relent in ensuring that unwholesome, fake and adulterated drugs were removed from the markets for the overall benefit of all.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent Uche Ndeke reports that the NAFDAC South East Zonal Cordinator noted that the exercise is the highest drug destruction ever done in the entire globe.

There was high presence of security during the destruction while some security chiefs and representatives including DSS, Police, and Army witnessed the exercise.