News
NAFDAC confiscates fake products worth over ₦5 bn, seals market in Aba
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a renewed operation aimed at dismantling one of Africa’s largest counterfeit beverage markets, sealing off the notorious Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, for the second time in two years.
In the statement signed by the agency ‘s boss, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the operation, which has been described as the most aggressive in the market’s history, led to the confiscation of fake food and beverages estimated to be worth over ₦5 billion.
The Cemetery Market, long regarded as a haven for counterfeiters, was found to be producing a wide range of substandard alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Among the most counterfeit products discovered were well-known brands such as Seaman Schnapps, Hennessy, Carlo Rossi, Smirnoff, and Fanta.
NAFDAC’s action comes as part of an ongoing effort to curb the circulation of dangerous fake products that threaten public health.
A combined force of NAFDAC officials, the Nigerian military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police carried out the extensive raid, which involved sealing off specific market zones and locking access gates.
The operation also follows a similar crackdown in December 2023.
During the operation, over 240 shops masquerading as factories were raided, where counterfeit beverages were being produced under extremely unhygienic conditions.
The shops were found using water from unsanitary sources, harmful chemicals, and recycled packaging materials to produce their products. Notably, alcoholic beverages were adulterated with cheaper sugar and starch alternatives, as well as other harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption.
More than 1,500 cartons of counterfeit products were destroyed during the operation, with an estimated street value of ₦750 million in 2023.
The most recent operation, conducted in December 2024, led to the seizure of additional fake goods valued at ₦5 billion.
The seized products included a variety of soft drinks like Coca-Cola, Schweppes, Lacasera, and energy drinks, as well as fake milk and chocolate drink products like Peak Sachet Milk and Miksi Sachet Milk.
In a related development, NAFDAC officials uncovered three major warehouses stockpiling expired Hollandia Yoghurt for revalidation on January 22, 2025.
NAFDAC’s effort has been greatly supported by the government of Abia State, led by Governor Alex Otti, as well as other local stakeholders, including the Mayor of Aba South.
NAFDAC has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected counterfeit products to the nearest NAFDAC office, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT, is currently holding an emergency meeting.
The meeting was called to find lasting solutions to the current leadership crisis bedeviling the party.
Those who have arrived include the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Secretary of the BoT, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; and former Governors Achike Udenwa, Sam Egwu, Babangida Aliyu, Senator Ben Obi, and Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, among others.
The meeting is holding amid the crisis surrounding the struggle for who occupies the position of the PDP National Secretary.
Last week, at the PDP national secretariat, a fight broke out between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye during its BoT meeting.
The crisis between the duo started when Anyanwu left to contest for Imo State governorship election and Ude-Okoye was was selected by the Southeast arm of the party to replace him.
This led to a lawsuit, after which the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu declared Ude-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary.
But Anyanwu said Ude-Okoye has no authority to assume the position, despite the ruling.
Anyanwu cited his appeal of the ruling at the Supreme Court as grounds for maintaining the status quo
The Nigerian Senate has approved the termination of three Resident Electoral Commissioners who have been suspended since 2023 for flouting the provisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Act
The approval followed the request from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the Senate to terminate the appointments of the embattled State Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa, Sokoto and Abia.
Sponsor of the motion and Leader of the Senate, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi sought the invocation of Section 157 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, saying that the law empowers the Chamber to approve the request.
Those whose appointments will be terminated include, Dr Nura Ali, Sokoto State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner and Professor Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu, Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner respectively.
He said, “Aware that the aforementioned Resident Commissioners were earlier suspended in 2023, bordering on allegations of infractions of the Electoral Act; compromise of elections and abandonment of duty without cogent reasons.”
A copy of the motion sighted by Newsmen on Wednesday revealed that the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, and the Department of State Services, DSS, indicted Dr. Nura Ali in their reports, having confessed to corruption, incompetence and receiving bribe to the tune of $150,000 from politicians.
According, the plenary which was presided by the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio activated the relevant provisions of the Constitution and approve the termination of appointment of the affected Commissioners.
President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for a private visit to Paris, France, before proceeding to Addis Ababa for the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State.
“The president will arrive in Addis Ababa early next week for the AU summit,” Mr Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesman, said in a statement.
The AU Summit is scheduled to hold from Feb. 12th to 16th.
“In Addis Ababa, President Tinubu will join African leaders at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State, scheduled for Feb. 12th to 16th.
Hea said while in France, President Tinubu would meet with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron.
BREAKING: PDP BoT holds emergency meeting amid Anyanwu, Ude-Okoye crisis
BREAKING: Senate approves termination of appointment of 3 Resident Electoral Commissioners
Tinubu Departs for France Ahead of AU Summit
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