In a determined effort to combat the proliferation of counterfeit goods, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) launched a series of raids across prominent shopping outlets in Abuja.
Targeted establishments included Sahad stores, H-Medix branches in Wuse 2 and Gwarinpa, 3rd Avenue, and Utako market.
During the operation, NAFDAC officials uncovered a significant stash of counterfeit cosmetics at H-Medix and seized fake drugs at Utako market.
Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, the Head of Investigation and Enforcement/Federal Taskforce for NAFDAC in the FCT, Abuja, emphasized that the raids were prompted by actionable intelligence received from concerned citizens.
Expanding their scope, the enforcement team conducted raids in Kugbo market in Nyanya and Mararaba axis in Nasarawa State, demonstrating their commitment to curbing the spread of counterfeit goods beyond Abuja’s borders.
Mr. Godiya expressed grave concern over the discovery of substandard NIVEA cream and other cosmetics being peddled at inflated prices compared to NAFDAC-approved products.
The seized counterfeit items, including Jik bleach, Harpic toilet cleaner, and Airwick room freshener, were valued at a staggering N45 million, contributing to a total confiscation worth N50 million.
Highlighting the grave health risks associated with counterfeit products, Mr. Godiya cautioned about potential repercussions, including cancer, kidney damage, and skin rashes.
He reiterated NAFDAC’s steadfast commitment to maintaining quality standards and pledged to apprehend individuals involved in the illegal importation and sale of counterfeit goods.
Mr. Godiya urged consumers to prioritize safety by thoroughly examining product labels for NAFDAC registration numbers and cautioned against purchasing items from unlicensed vendors.
Emphasizing the importance of vigilance in safeguarding the integrity of consumer products, he called on Nigerians to exercise discernment and caution in their purchasing decisions.
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