The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has responded to social media criticism of its enforcement operations at Onitsha Bridge Head Market, Anambra State, while refuting allegations of extortion made by controversial influencer Martins Otse (aka VeryDarkMan).
In a statement signed by Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC clarified that its operations—conducted between February 9 and March 27, 2025—targeted unregistered, banned, expired, and falsified medicines across three major open drug markets: Idumota (Lagos), Ariaria (Aba), and Bridgehead (Onitsha). The raids led to the seizure and destruction of substandard pharmaceuticals worth over N1 trillion.
The agency did not directly address Otse’s viral claim that it demanded N700,000 per shop for reopening but emphasized compliance: “The market reopened on March 9, 2025, and over 2,500 traders with 3,500 shops who complied with regulatory procedures have resumed normal activities at Ogbogwu Market.”
Meanwhile, VDM, in his viral video, alleged that NAFDAC staff asked the traders at Ogbogwu market to pay the sum of N700,000 to have their shops reopened.
In the video, he stated that he had never been to Onitsha, but that alleged extortion and stealing by NAFDAC officials prompted his visit to the state. He noted that he has come to call NAFDAC out but to stop such evil acts.
He said, “I have never been here before, a very important thing has brought me here. What brought me here is what I call extortion and stealing from NAFDAC, and I want to call them out so that they will stop. For what you people are doing here are evil.”
He further stated that, according to the traders, over 5000 shops were closed by the agency on the basis that they sell fake drugs.
He added that after three months, NAFDAC tasked the traders to pay the sum of N500,000 to have their shops opened, and later increased the levy to N700,000 after two weeks.
VDM had quizzed, “NAFDAC, my question is this, the N700,000 fine imposed on the traders, is it a guarantee to continue to produce fake drugs? Again, if they truly carried fake drugs, where are the people you caught? Are you not supposed to prosecute them while the people with genuine drugs continue their businesses?”
In response, the agency said they would not want to be dragged into any controversy with the social influencer.
“We would not want to be dragged into any controversy with the social influencer. All I can say is that some life-threatening infractions were committed by some people in the drug markets. We are all witnesses to what transpired at the three major drug markets in Aba Idumota and Onitsha,” the agency said.
It also added that the drug markets were reopened on March 9, 2025, following NAFDAC’s regulatory interventions.
NAFDAC explained that the markets failed Good Storage and Distribution Practices and lacked Pharmacy Council of Nigeria registration. State governments intervened, granting traders a moratorium to relocate to a regulated Coordinated Wholesale Centre.
“Due to the intervention of respective state governments, traders were given a moratorium to relocate to a conducive Coordinated Warehouse Centre where their activities can be monitored and controlled, while they remain accountable for previous infractions as a deterrent in accordance with gazetted regulations,” the statement read.
The agency linked remaining closed shops to narcotics trafficking: “The few remaining shops whose owners have refused identification are those linked to outrightly banned narcotics according to our database. The cartel and their co-conspirators are responsible for incitements aimed at diverting attention from the real issues to evade justice for heinous crimes against humanity.”
NAFDAC raised concerns over Otse’s videos, warning they might violate the Cybercrime Act: “The agency’s attention has been drawn to misleading videos trending on social media inciting traders at Onitsha Bridge Head Market by a social media influencer. NAFDAC wishes to alert the public and security agencies to this incitement, which may constitute a violation of the Cybercrime Act.”
It assured lawful traders of protection while vowing to prosecute offenders: “NAFDAC remains committed to ensuring that all medical products—medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and others used in Nigeria—are of good quality, safe, and efficacious. We continue to monitor these commodities to prevent deaths among pregnant women, children, and adults living with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.”
The agency deferred to law enforcement on Otse’s case, reiterating its regulatory mandate to safeguard public health.
