Officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Control NAFDAC recently carried out raids on popular supermarkets in the Wuse 2 and Gwarinpa area of Abuja, uncovering counterfeit products on display. The enforcement team also targeted markets in Garki, Wuse, Utako, Kugbo, Nyanya and Mararaba, seizing counterfeit cosmetics and drugs.
A statement from the agency says during the operation, counterfeit cosmetics were discovered and seized at Sahad Stores, H-Medix and various markets while fake drugs were confiscated at the Utako market. Counterfeit NIVEA products, cosmetics, Jik bleach, Harpic toilet cleaner, and Airwick room freshener were all confiscated. The total value of the seized goods amounted to ₦50 million, with fake NIVEA products alone valued at ₦45 million.
Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, Head of Investigation and Enforcement/Federal Taskforce, FCT, Abuja, expressed concern over the sale of substandard products, particularly counterfeit NIVEA cream which was being sold at higher prices than the approved products. He emphasised the health risks posed by such counterfeit goods, including the potential for cancer, kidney damage, and skin rashes.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out counterfeit syndicates and safeguarding the public health.
