The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut down the infamous Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, for the second time in two years.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, made it known in a statement she signed this Tuesday, describing the raid as the most decisive action in the history of the market.
Adeyeye said these 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.
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 ₦5 billion. Adeyeye said the operation also led to the discovery of three warehouses stockpiling expired Hollandia Yoghurt for revalidation on January 22.
During the operation, over 240 makeshift factories were said to have been discovered, producing counterfeit products under unsanitary conditions.
The agency said it uncovered and confiscated fake and substandard food and beverages worth over ₦5 billion in its latest operation tagged Operation Clean Up Aba.
The Abia State Government, led by Governor Alex Otti, was commended for supporting the raid.
The agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious products to the nearest NAFDAC office.