By Gwurld4026 
IPOB Calls for Return of Seized Goods from Onitsha Market
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to return goods seized from traders at the Ogbo Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State. IPOB alleges that NAFDAC officials conducted a midnight raid, blocking CCTV cameras, breaking into shops, and confiscating goods under the pretext of targeting counterfeit drugs.
The group questions the transparency of the operation, including the timing, the method of sealing the market, and the evidence of counterfeit drugs. They urge NAFDAC to adopt a more professional approach, such as establishing permanent offices in drug markets for proper regulation.
In response, NAFDAC has justified the closure of the Onitsha market, stating that officials uncovered and seized 14 truckloads of counterfeit drugs at the Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market. The agency revealed that the market serves as a hub for repackaging and selling fake medicines with fraudulent NAFDAC approval claims.
Furthermore, NAFDAC has reportedly confiscated over 50 trailers of fake and substandard drugs, emphasizing the severity of the issue.
The disagreement highlights the tension between regulatory enforcement and local business interests. While NAFDAC aims to combat the circulation of counterfeit drugs, IPOB and traders express concerns over the methods employed and the impact on legitimate businesses. The situation underscores the need for a balanced approach that ensures public health safety without unduly harming lawful commerce.
For a visual insight into NAFDAC’s operations at the Onitsha drug market, you may find the following video informative: