Eziukwu Market, sometimes called Cemetery Market, in Aba, Abia State, is a hub for the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit and inferior drinks and beverages, according to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, or NAFDAC.
During an operation at the market on Tuesday under the direction of Mr. Martins Iluyomade, Director, South-East Zone, the agency made the announcement.
Iluyomade compared the market to weapons of mass destruction, characterising it as a hub for the mass manufacture and dissemination of counterfeit and inferior goods.
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According to the director, illicit activity continued in the market despite earlier crackdowns, including a significant operation in December 2023.
He claimed that people’s continued resistance and determination to make money at the expense of other people’s lives was perplexing.
“During the last operation the leadership of the market signed an undertaking with NAFDAC to identify and expose those involved in the production and sale of fake goods,” he said.
He said that because market leaders now have important questions to address, the agency will review the deal.
The number of expired products being re-validated, according to Iluyomade, is quite concerning.
To prevent putting their health at risk, he counselled customers to be cautious about the goods they buy.
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A startling variety of counterfeit and tainted goods, such as wines, whisky, yoghurt, fizzy drinks, crisps, dry gin and other beverages, were discovered during the operation.
The items were discovered to be either made in the market under unhygienic conditions or kept in areas where products that had expired were re-labeled with updated dates.
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