– Seals Cemetery Market for the Second Time in Two Years
By Biola Lawal
In a bold move to safeguard public health, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has again sealed the Cemetery market in Aba regarded as the most dreaded haven for wines and beverages counterfeiters.
(NAFDAC DG in a tough look, issuing warning to counterfeiters – No place to hide for agents of death)
The Cemetery market is popular, dreaded and is, hitherto, the safe haven for the largest cartel ring for the manufacture of fake wines and beverages in Africa.
(Prof. Adeyeye radiating happiness at the strings of NAFDAC operational successes against fake drug peddlers, etc)
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed this in a statement giving details of the successful enforcement operation in Aba, a copy of which was made available to FLOWERBUDNEWS.
Prof. Adeyeye said that the decisive enforcement operation was conducted on the Cemetery market as a crucial move to curb the circulation of fake and substandard wine and beverages in Nigeria.
The NAFDAC Boss noted that the current action of NAFDAC ”is the most audacious since the history of the market with specific zones barricaded with iron welding and access gates locked till date”.
Prof. Adeyeye said that the operation, which was carried out in conjunction with a large contingent of the military, DSS and Nigeria Police personnel in a rare display of inter-agency cooperation, was a follow up to a similar raid enforced in December 2023.
‘:Some of the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products especially different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands.
The faked products ranged from Seaman Schnapps, Henessy, Four Cousins Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells and Black Labels Gordons.
(NAFDAC Boss, the indefatigable, incorruptible)
Other counterfeited products were; Martell, Campari, Smirnoff ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink, Cartel among others.
”As a consequence of the extensive operation, the agency raided over 240 shops turned factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed,” the NAFDAC Boss disclosed.
”The shops turned factories are very filthy, using water from very unhygienic sources, harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles and cloned packaging materials of other brands,” Prof. Adeyeye narrated.
”The adulteration of alcoholic beverages by criminal elements in the country is done by mixing of cheaper sources of sugar and starch besides grapes or fruit, among other harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption,” She stated.
Prof. Adeyeye stated further that
over 1500 cartons of the fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation.
”The street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products in 2023 is estimated at over seven hundred and fifty million naira only. (N750,000,000),” She said, adding, however, that the estimated value of products mopped up during the December 15, 2024, operation is five billion naira.
(NAFDAC Operatives in action, often risking their lives to safeguard the health of Nigerians)
‘:The products being revalidated and mopped up included: Soft and carbonated drinks such as Fanta, Coca ColaSchweppes, Lacasera, Sprite, Hollandia Yoghurt, Super Commando Energy Drink, Feyrouz and Amstel Malta.
”Aside from drinks, notable fake home use beverages such as: Peak Sachet Milk, Cowbell Sachet Milk, Peak Chocolate Drink, Miksi Sachet Milk, Cadbury Chocolate Drink and Ovaltine adulterated versions,” Prof. Adeyeye disclosed.
Prior to the evacuation of the products by NAFDAC, they were being produced in the market and neatly packaged and sold to unsuspecting consumers, the NAFDAC Boss said.
Prof. Adeyeye commended Governor Alex otti for his support saying;
”NAFDAC management appreciates the support from the Government of Abia state led by His Excellency Governor Alex Otti for his unwavering support for this project OPERATION CLEAN UP ABA”.
The Mayor of Aba south and the interim management committee of the market and other stakeholders have been working assiduously with NAFDAC on the project leading to another discovery of three major warehouses stockpiling expired HOLLANDIA YOGHURT for revalidation on the 22nd of January 2025, She said.
”NAFDAC wishes to assure the public of her determination to safeguard the health of the nation and enjoins the general public to report any suspected fake and substandard regulated product to the nearest NAFDAC office,” Prof. Adeyeye stressed.
NAFDAC: Safeguarding the Health of the Nation (FLOWERBUDNEWS)
About Flowerbudnews
Established by Hon. Biola Lawal, a former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), FLOWERBUDNEWS is a consortium of active veteran journalists, experienced Multimedia broadcast experts and image makers. We are drawn from both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s media Industry with a common determination to enhance the practice of responsible journalism..
Lawal, on his part, is also a former Honourable Commissioner for Information,Youth, Sports and Culture of Osun state, his home state.
Biola Lawal had also successfully served two tenures as Press Secretary to the ECOMOG Force Commander in Liberia during the Liberian and Sierra Leone Civil wars. He was an outstanding NAN Defence and War Correspondent for many years.
The retired NAN Acting Boss holds the honour of being the only journalist that served two terms on the ECOMOG international assignment due to his high professionalism and decency.
He is a Co-Author of the book; ECOMOG, A BOLD ATTEMPT AT REGIONAL PEACEKEEPING! Edited Mrs Magaret Voght. The book remains the most. factual, detailed and authentic book on the ECOWAS sponsored ECOMOG Military operation.
