The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted allegations of extortion during its recent enforcement operations at open drug markets, particularly the Onitsha Bridge Head Market.
This response follows a viral video by social media influencer VeryDarkMan (VDM), who accused the agency of imposing arbitrary fees on traders.
Between February 9 and March 27, 2025, NAFDAC conducted nationwide raids on open drug markets in Idumota (Lagos), Aba (Abia), and Onitsha (Anambra).
These operations led to the seizure and destruction of banned, expired, and substandard medicines valued at over ₦1 trillion. The agency reported that many facilities failed to meet Good Storage and Distribution Practices and lacked registration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
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In response to VDM’s claims, NAFDAC clarified that the imposed charges were official investigative fees: ₦5 million for selling unregistered products, reduced to ₦200,000 after appeals, and ₦2 million for storage violations, reduced to ₦500,000. These fees are in line with federal regulations and were applied uniformly.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, warned that VDM’s actions could constitute a breach of the Cybercrime Act, as they may incite traders to defy regulatory measures.
She emphasized the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring the circulation of safe and effective medical products in Nigeria.
The agency also noted that, following compliance with regulatory requirements, over 2,500 traders have resumed operations at the Onitsha market since its reopening on March 9, 2025.
