For the second time in two years, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, where over 250 factories producing fake alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are located.
Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement on Tuesday, described the raid as “the most decisive action in the history of the market.”
The agency said it uncovered and confiscated fake and substandard food and beverages worth over N5 billion in its latest operation tagged Operation Clean Up Aba.
According to her, the raid is a major step towards safeguarding public health and curbing the circulation of fake products in Nigeria.
During the operation, over 240 makeshift factories, producing counterfeit products under unsanitary conditions were said to have been discovered.
Adeyeye revealed that the factories used 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.
“These criminal elements use unhygienic sources of water, saccharin, colouring agents, and harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption. The adulteration of alcoholic beverages involves cheaper sugars and starches instead of fruits or grapes,” she said.
She added 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 N5 billion.
“We are determined to safeguard the health of the nation and rid markets of fake and substandard products,” Adeyeye assured.