The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 150 shops in Eziukwu Market, Aba, Abia State, during a two-day operation on December 16 and 17, 2024.
NAFDAC disclosed this on its official X handle on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the enforcement exercise uncovered a large-scale network involved in producing and distributing counterfeit and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food products such as noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt.
The counterfeit items destroyed during the operation were valued at N5 billion.
The statement reads;
“NAFDAC has shut down 150 shops at Eziukwu Market, Aba, Abia State, during a two-day operation on December 16 and 17, 2024.
“The team uncovered large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items such as noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt.
“The destroyed items were valued at N5 billion.”
NAFDAC’s South-East Zone Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, described Eziukwu Market as a hotspot for counterfeit and substandard products and expressed disappointment over the persistence of illegal activities.
This comes despite an agreement signed by market leaders in December 2023 to combat and expose counterfeiters operating in the market.
