₦airaland Forum

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Monday, accused a social media influencer, Very Dark Man, VDM, of inciting traders at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market to defy federal regulatory measures following recent raids on open drug markets in Nigeria.

The Director General of the Agency, Prof Christiana Adeyeye, in a press statement, warned that the influencer’s actions, which include sharing videos allegedly encouraging non-compliance with NAFDAC’s directives, could constitute a breach of the Cybercrime Act.

Adeyeye further called for public vigilance and urged security agencies to investigate the matter.

NAFDAC recently conducted extensive enforcement operations across major open drug markets in Idumota, Aba, and Onitsha, removing and destroying banned, expired, and substandard narcotics valued at over a trillion Naira.

The raids, conducted between February and March 2025, exposed significant violations of storage and distribution regulations.

“These markets lacked basic registration and compliance with Good Storage and Distribution Practices, posing a grave risk to public health,” she stated.

The Onitsha market, which reopened on March 9, 2025, now hosts over 2,500 traders who have complied with regulatory requirements. However, she disclosed that a few traders with ties to banned narcotics have resisted the agency’s mandate and are allegedly collaborating with influencers to stoke public dissent.

“The remaining non-compliant shops are associated with outrightly banned substances. Those behind this incitement are attempting to divert attention from their illegal activities to evade accountability,” the agency said.
The alleged incitement follows NAFDAC’s directive for traders to relocate to Coordinated Warehouse Centres (CWCs), designed to monitor and regulate drug distribution.

She stressed that these measures are part of efforts to curb the distribution of counterfeit drugs and improve public safety.

Adeyeye called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the influencer’s actions and assured Nigerians of its commitment to safeguarding public health.

“The merchants of death fueling insecurity and peddling fake medicines will face the full wrath of the law,” the agency warned.

She reaffirmed NAFDAC’s mission to ensure that all medicines, vaccines, and medical devices in the country meet stringent safety and quality standards, urging the public to support its efforts against counterfeit drugs.

The Onitsha market, which reopened on March 9, 2025, now hosts over 2,500 traders who have complied with regulatory requirements. However, she disclosed that a few traders with ties to banned narcotics have resisted the agency’s mandate and are allegedly collaborating with influencers to stoke public dissent.

Adeyeye called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the influencer’s actions and assured Nigerians of its commitment to safeguarding public health.

The remaining non-compliant shops are associated with outrightly banned substances. Those behind this incitement are attempting to divert attention from their illegal activities to evade accountability,” the agency said.

helinues:
Whatever the guy's eyes see, make no one complain as he decided to bring unnecessary trouble unto his own head.

chiagozien:
So your NAFDAC that extorted minimum of 700k from traders, what do you call that?




Yes I don't like this guy but NAFDAC need to tell Nigerians why they took minimum of 700000 from traders.




I paid 900k for shop my boys is managing their.

helinues:
If they asked you for proves now, you will start scratching your head

chiagozien:
I have the prove.




When VDM came proves of payments were given to him.




NAFDAC should deny it if we're lying.

helinues:
Whatever the guy's eyes see, make no one complain as he decided to bring unnecessary trouble unto his own head.

specialmati:
you are confused as usual.nafdac they Nack 700k to traders to reopen their locked shops

helinues:
Bro you see, it's not all the time we should be attaching emotions, sentiments or be political about issue

What's the value of each traders goods that NAFDAC would be demanding N700k from them. The N700k is for what precisely.

I am not disputing the fact that some rogue NAFDAC agents might be demanding bribes from the traders but before doing that, those they are demanding the money from must also have k leg goods.

That the demanding of N700k is from NAFDAC office, main one, I can never accept that

chiagozien:
You don't get the point.



NAFDAC mandated every shop will pay 700k and 200k for every parking stores.


They threatened that if not paid until a certain time they sieze and Carry all the medicine in the market because they will assume all medicine in the market have spoiled because of long time the market is closed.


Traders know Nigerians will always believe nafdac over them have to obey.



It forced people to pay to have access to their remain goods in the market.


I think it is time you Stop defending current government and their agency blindly.

When they do good you praise them, when they do bad you condemn them.



If not for security reason I would have post here receipt my boy used to pay.



Below is account number that those money were paid

helinues:
Provide your proves and stop laughing sheepishly

helinues:
You are yet to tell us what the N700k payment is for precisely.

Also what's the value of the traders goods that NAFDAC would be demanding N700k? How many of the traders that their goods worth N5m? N700k is even above 10%.

How much profits do they make with their goods that they will have to pay N700k to NAFDAC?

helinues:
You are yet to tell us what the N700k payment is for precisely.

Also what's the value of the traders goods that NAFDAC would be demanding N700k? How many of the traders that their goods worth N5m? N700k is even above 10%.

How much profits do they make with their goods that they will have to pay N700k to NAFDAC?

TONYE001:
Actually, VDM's allegation is massive, and he's got receipts to back it up.

I think the onus is on NAFDAC to clearly and directly respond...to offer clarity to the situation.

It's established that the traders paid 700k to an account operated by NAFDAC....the account details are in the open for everyone to see...unless someone else opened an account in that name...which is highly unlikely.

VDM's allegation should trigger robust investigations and public statements...not the threat the lady is trying to do.

I expected her to deny or accept the allegation. She didn't say anything about it. Are you not curious, or worried, that traders are paying that kind of amount...? I'm actually curious. Really trying to understand the exact reason to impose such a fine on traders...I've thought about this, and I just can't find any acceptable reason.

NAFDAC owes Nigerians an explanation. And VDM is on the right track, especially if he proceeds to press the traders to seek redress in court.