NAFDAC discovers rifles, seizes 50 trucks of fake drugs in Onitsha Market

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered rifles, live cartridges, and other weapons hidden by unknown persons at the Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The NAFDAC Zonal Director, South-East, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday as part of the agency’s ongoing enforcement exercise aimed at eradicating fake and substandard drugs.

Iluyomade, who expressed surprise at the discovery, alleged that fake drug dealers hid the rifles to attack the enforcement team.

NAFDAC has been at the drug sections of Onitsha Bridge Head Market since February 10 as part of an ongoing nationwide campaign to strengthen public health.

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According to the coordinator, 50 trailer loads of counterfeit and substandard drugs discovered in the market have been moved to the agency’s laboratories for further tests.

He said: “With the prompt interventions of our security team, we saw and recovered a dagger, machetes, two guns, rifles, and live cartridges.

“Every night, we keep arresting people who attempt to forcefully break into the shops to move the fake drugs or do one thing or another in this market.

“They are in custody and volunteering useful information.”

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