The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has demanded that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) return goods seized from traders at the Ogbo Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State. IPOB’s call for action follows a recent raid conducted by NAFDAC officials, during which they allegedly confiscated goods under the pretext of searching for counterfeit drugs.
IPOB has raised concerns about the manner in which the raid was carried out, accusing NAFDAC officials of unprofessional conduct, including the alleged blocking of CCTV cameras and the lack of evidence that the seized goods were indeed counterfeit
In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group alleged that NAFDAC officials conducted a midnight raid on the market, blocking CCTV cameras, breaking into shops, and confiscating goods under the claim of targeting fake drugs. IPOB criticized the method of the operation, questioning the agency’s approach and transparency.
While IPOB reaffirmed its stance against the sale of counterfeit drugs, it raised concerns over the alleged ‘’seizure of traders’ goods in their absence, the blocking of surveillance cameras, and the lack of evidence proving that all confiscated products were counterfeit.”
The group posed several questions to NAFDAC, including: Why was the operation conducted at midnight? Why were CCTV cameras blocked? Where is the evidence that the confiscated drugs were fake? Why was the entire market sealed, affecting both innocent and guilty traders?
IPOB urged NAFDAC to adopt a more professional and transparent approach to combating fake drugs, suggesting that the agency establish permanent offices in drug markets to ensure proper regulation rather than conducting surprise raids.
In February, the agency conducted a raid on some major markets in Nigeria where so many fake drugs were confiscated.
