In a major move to combat the production and sale of counterfeit goods, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has once again targeted the notorious Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State. This is the second such raid in just two years, underscoring the agency’s commitment to ridding the market of fake alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
The latest operation, called “Operation Clean Up Aba,” was hailed as the most decisive action ever taken against the market, according to NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye. In a statement released on Tuesday, she confirmed that the agency had uncovered and seized counterfeit food and beverage products worth over N5 billion during the raid. This action, she emphasized, was crucial for protecting public health and curbing the spread of substandard goods throughout Nigeria.
In the operation, NAFDAC agents discovered more than 240 makeshift factories operating under deplorable and unsanitary conditions. These factories were allegedly involved in the mass production of fake versions of popular drinks and foods, using hazardous materials and unregulated processes. “These factories were producing counterfeit products under unhygienic conditions,” Prof Adeyeye stated, highlighting the dangerous environment in which these products were being manufactured.
Among the fake products found in the operation were well-known brands such as Hennessy, Seaman Schnapps, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Peak Milk, and Hollandia Yoghurt. According to Adeyeye, the counterfeit goods were often produced using harmful chemicals and recycled bottles, posing significant health risks to consumers. “These criminal elements use unhygienic sources of water, saccharin, colouring agents, and harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption,” she explained.
The NAFDAC team also found that the adulteration of alcoholic beverages was widespread, with manufacturers substituting cheaper sugars and starches for the proper ingredients like fruits and grapes. This practice not only affected the quality of the drinks but also posed severe health hazards. Adeyeye added, “The adulteration of alcoholic beverages involves cheaper sugars and starches instead of fruits or grapes.”
To further drive home the severity of the operation, NAFDAC destroyed over 1,500 cartons of fake products on-site during the raid. The total street value of the confiscated and destroyed goods was estimated to be around N5 billion. This operation marks a significant step in NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to safeguard public health in the country and protect consumers from the harmful effects of counterfeit products.
Prof Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s resolve to continue its crackdown on fake goods, vowing that the agency would not relent in its fight to protect Nigerians from substandard and dangerous products. “We are determined to safeguard the health of the nation and rid markets of fake and substandard products,” she declared.
This raid follows a similar operation in 2023, highlighting the persistence of the illegal trade in counterfeit goods at the Cemetery Market. Despite previous actions, the market has remained a major hub for the production and sale of fake beverages, indicating that the problem is far from eradicated.
The persistence of such illegal practices has raised concerns among consumers and health experts, who warn of the long-term dangers posed by these counterfeit products. Health experts have repeatedly stressed the risks associated with consuming beverages made in unregulated, unsanitary environments, such as food poisoning, long-term health complications, and even death in extreme cases.
The operation also comes at a time when NAFDAC has been facing increased scrutiny over the prevalence of fake goods in Nigeria’s markets. The agency has been under pressure to improve its monitoring and enforcement efforts, especially as the country grapples with a surge in counterfeit products affecting not only beverages but also food and pharmaceutical items.
