Sat. Feb 8th, 2025

From TCNEWS

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has once more closed the notorious Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, due to counterfeit products.

This recent action marks the second occurrence in two years, as stated by NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement on Tuesday.

She described the raid as “the most decisive action in the market’s history,” noting that NAFDAC also uncovered and seized fake and substandard food and beverages valued at over ₦5 billion in its latest operation, dubbed Operation Clean Up Aba.

Adeyeye remarked that this move is a significant step towards safeguarding public health and curbing the circulation of counterfeit products in Nigeria. During the operation, over 240 makeshift factories were reportedly discovered, producing counterfeit products under unsanitary conditions.

Adeyeye stated that these factories employed harmful chemicals, contaminated water, and recycled bottles to manufacture fake versions of popular brands, including Hennessy, Seaman Schnapps, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Peak Milk, and Hollandia Yoghurt.

She revealed that these criminal elements used unhygienic water sources, saccharin, coloring agents, and harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption, adding that the adulteration of alcoholic beverages involved cheaper sugars and starches instead of fruits or grapes.

She further mentioned that over 1,500 cartons of fake products were destroyed on-site, with the total street value of the seized and destroyed goods estimated at ₦5 billion.

The NAFDAC head noted that the operation also led to the discovery of three warehouses stockpiling expired Hollandia Yoghurt for revalidation on January 22.

She also commended the Abia State Government, led by Governor Alex Otti, for supporting the raid, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious products to the nearest NAFDAC office.

According to the report, the Cemetery Market has been infamous for producing fake alcoholic drinks, carbonated beverages, and food products.

By NWAMARA

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