NAFDAC reopens shops not involved in faking, selling of expired products

The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday, announced the reopening of shops not used for faking and adulteration of goods in some markets in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State.

Recall that NAFDAC on February 10, 2025, sealed Ekumi plaza after discovering volume of fake and expired drugs in some shops in the medicine line of the market.

However, prior to the enforcement operation that led to the discovery at Ekumi plaza, NAFDAC also sealed 3-lines at Eziukwu Road market, involved in adulteration of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

Martins Iluyomade, South-East zonal director of NAFDAC, said that the decision came after listening to the plea of Abia State Government to relieve those, who know nothing about fake products, but are victims of collateral damages.

He made the announcement in a roundtable meeting that brought together officials of NAFDAC, Abia State Government, leaders of Eziukwu Road Market, patent medicine dealers in Ariaria International Market, Ekumi Plaza and Tenant Road medicine dealers at the Aba South Local Government Secretariat.

Read also: Traders decry closure of Ekumi plaza in Aba by NAFDAC

Iluyomade, however warned that the reopening of the market was selective as, only areas that have no case with NAFDAC were opened on Wednesday.

According to him, any shop that deals on medicine in Ekumi, Ariaria and Zones closed down at the Eziukwu Road Market, on December 16, 2024 over fake products would remain sealed until certain criteria are met.

“People in Ekumi, who are selling hair beauty and make-up items, food items, among others, will be reopened, but the responsibility of securing the place is for all of us.

“All areas that have nothing to do with the matter will be reopened today, while the other areas will have to meet with necessary criteria before we would listen to them.

“So, what we’re doing today is to free those, who know nothing about this evil, but those areas involved in medicine will have to come and answer for themselves”, he said.