Soludo Defends NAFDAC’s Total Market Shutdown, Reveals Fake Drugs Were Discovered Beyond Ogbo Ogwu Section
Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has defended the total closure of the Head Bridge Market in Onitsha, countering the stance of former governor Peter Obi on the issue.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently shut down the entire market after uncovering massive amounts of counterfeit and expired drugs in the Ogbo Ogwu section. The agency seized 10 trucks of fake pharmaceutical products in a raid that also affected neighboring market sections, including plumbing materials, rod and allied tools, timber, and provisions.
Obi: “Closure Is Excessive, Hurting Livelihoods”
Reacting to the market closure, Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, criticized NAFDAC’s decision to shut down other sections alongside Ogbo Ogwu, where the fake drugs were discovered.
“Shutting down other neighboring markets, such as rod, allied and tools, plumbing materials, timber, surgical, and provision markets, seems excessive and unjustified. Their continued closure is severely affecting the livelihoods of millions, especially during this difficult period in our country,”
Obi stated on Monday, February 17, 2025.
Soludo Fires Back: Fake Drugs Found Beyond Drug Market
Dismissing Obi’s concerns, Soludo revealed on Saturday, February 22, 2025, that fake and banned drugs were also found in the plumbing materials section of the market.
“The leadership of the Plumbing materials market confirmed to me that the discoveries made by the regulators in some shops in their section were shocking and disturbing. Right inside these shops were cartons of counterfeit and controlled drugs, many of which have been globally banned,”
Soludo stated.
He questioned how these illegal drugs pass through ports and make their way into local markets, calling on the Federal Government to tighten supply chain regulations.
Government Pushes for Swift Investigation, Market Reopening
While defending NAFDAC’s actions, Soludo assured traders that his administration is working to expedite investigations to allow legitimate businesses to resume operations.
“This exercise is necessary to enforce standards and eliminate counterfeit drugs, but we are working to ensure law-abiding traders can get back to business as soon as possible,”
he said.
The closure of the Head Bridge Market remains a major development in Nigeria’s fight against fake pharmaceuticals, with the government and regulatory agencies tightening measures to curb the circulation of dangerous drugs.
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