The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down the Gomboru drug market in Maiduguri for selling flood-damaged drugs. According to NAFDAC, drugs that were contaminated by recent floods were being washed and sun-dried, then resold to unsuspecting customers.
NAFDAC shared the news on social media on Thursday, stating that the market closure was ordered by its Director General to ensure a thorough removal of the compromised drugs. “After the flooding in Maiduguri, which submerged the Gomboru drug market, we found that contaminated drugs were being washed and resold. This poses a severe health risk,” the post read.
The floods that led to this situation occurred on September 10, after the collapse of the Alau Dam, which had been at full capacity for weeks. The flooding affected several areas in Maiduguri, including Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin, forcing many residents to flee their homes. Unfortunately, the aftermath of this disaster now includes the sale of potentially life-threatening drugs in the local market.
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NAFDAC has since ordered a shop-to-shop inspection to remove all compromised drugs from circulation. The agency warned the public against purchasing any drugs from the affected market until the operation is complete, stressing the importance of ensuring public safety in the face of this crisis.
In another major operation, NAFDAC also announced the shutdown of an illegal factory producing counterfeit cosmetic products at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos. The agency revealed that its officers discovered various unregistered chemicals, expired products, and packaging materials being used to manufacture fake cosmetics.
Over 1,200 cartons of counterfeit products were seized, along with mini-mixing containers, unlabelled chemicals, and batch coding materials. The estimated street value of the confiscated items is around ₦50 million.
NAFDAC urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing cosmetic products and report any suspicious activities to their nearest NAFDAC office to help prevent the distribution of harmful goods.
