The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has addressed the backlash surrounding its recent operations at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market in Anambra State.
Naturenex reports that popular social media personality Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, had accused the agency of demanding ₦700,000 from each trader as a prerequisite for reopening their shops after a recent shutdown.
Responding to the allegation, NAFDAC, through a statement issued by its Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, clarified the situation. The agency explained that traders who met the necessary regulatory conditions had already resumed operations, with “over 2,500 traders with 3,500 shops” back in business since March 9, 2025.
The regulatory body noted that its enforcement exercise, which ran from February 9 to March 27, 2025, was aimed at tackling the circulation of “unregistered, banned, expired, substandard, and falsified medicines, including controlled substances.” According to NAFDAC, the affected markets failed to comply with essential requirements such as Good Storage and Distribution Practices, as well as proper registration under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
In its statement, NAFDAC emphasized, “State governments granted a moratorium allowing traders to relocate to a Coordinated Wholesale Centre that meets regulatory standards.” The agency further elaborated, “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.”
NAFDAC stressed that the market was officially reopened on March 9, 2025, and highlighted that while the majority had returned to business, “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.”
The agency also raised concerns about the videos posted by VeryDarkMan, describing them as potentially harmful and possibly breaching national laws. “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.”
Adding to this, the agency stated, “The influencer has openly encouraged his audience to defy NAFDAC’s regulatory processes following enforcement operations conducted under the Office of the National Security Adviser. The agency will allow law enforcement to determine if he has violated any laws, particularly regarding incitement through video content.”
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding public health, NAFDAC concluded, “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.”
“NAFDAC operates strictly within its mandate,” the statement concluded.
