The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) conducted a successful enforcement operation in Abuja, resulting in the arrest of five individuals for selling counterfeit cosmetics. The arrests were made in the Garki and Wuse areas as part of efforts to combat the proliferation of substandard goods.
Mr. Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, NAFDAC’s Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, confirmed the arrests and emphasized that the agency would conduct thorough investigations into the matter. He reiterated NAFDAC’s commitment to eradicating fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products from circulation in the country.
Godiya highlighted that NAFDAC had been proactive in investigating counterfeit cosmetics based on intelligence reports. Despite challenges such as illegal importation, the agency remains determined to safeguard public health and ensure that only safe and genuine products are available to consumers.
The enforcement operation underscores NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to uphold quality standards and protect consumers from the harmful effects of counterfeit goods. By taking decisive action against those involved in the illegal sale of counterfeit cosmetics, NAFDAC aims to deter such activities and maintain the integrity of the Nigerian market.
“NAFDAC is present in all the ports of entry of the country, but with the nature of our borders, these smugglers will always find a way to beat the system that the government had put in place.”
“That is why if they escape from the port or borders, we go to the market and to all the places, gather intelligence reports, go after them and confiscate these products for possible prosecution,” Godiya said.
He said that the market value of the seized cosmetics was N35 million, adding that NAFDAC would continue investigation into the issue to unravel the level of involvement of the suspects.
Godiya said that after investigation, the management of the agency would take its regulatory action, which probably may be prosecution of those suspects for the crime committed.