The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed extortion allegations circulating on social media regarding its enforcement operations at the Onitsha Bridge Head drug market in Anambra State.
In an official statement released on Monday and signed by the agency’s Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC stated that recent claims made by controversial social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), were misleading and lacked factual basis.
VDM had alleged in a viral video that shop owners at the market were coerced into paying ₦700,000 each as a condition for reopening their businesses after NAFDAC shut down several shops during regulatory enforcement.
NAFDAC, while not directly addressing the amount mentioned, categorically denied the existence of any such unofficial payment requirements.
According to the agency, its enforcement operations between February 9 and March 27, 2025, targeted unregistered, expired, substandard, and falsified medical products, including banned narcotics and controlled substances.
The raids affected three major open drug markets: Idumota (Lagos), Ariaria (Aba) and Bridge Head (Onitsha). Products seized and destroyed across these locations were valued at over ₦1 trillion.
NAFDAC clarified that over 2,500 traders operating 3,500 shops have since resumed legitimate operations at the Ogbogwu Market as of March 9 following compliance with regulatory procedures.
The agency confirmed that remaining closed shops are linked to ongoing investigations involving unregistered narcotics and owners who have refused proper identification.
“It is important to note that the few remaining shops whose owners have refused identification are those linked to outrightly banned narcotics according to our database,” the statement read. “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.”
NAFDAC also raised concerns over the influencer’s conduct, describing his videos as inciting and potentially in violation of the Cybercrime Act.
The agency stated that it has alerted the public and relevant security agencies to the risks posed by such content, particularly when it undermines regulatory authority and public health protection.
“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,” the statement added.
The agency further noted that its actions are backed by existing regulations and coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser.
It reiterated that the enforcement was necessary due to non-compliance with Good Storage and Distribution Practices and failure of the affected markets to register with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
In collaboration with state governments, a moratorium was granted to affected traders to relocate their operations to approved Coordinated Wholesale Centres that meet national standards.
NAFDAC affirmed that while it supports the reintegration of compliant traders, those found culpable of distributing harmful or unregistered medicines will be held accountable.
“NAFDAC remains committed to ensuring that all medical products, medicines, vaccines, and related items in circulation in Nigeria are of good quality, safe, and effective. We will continue to monitor these commodities to prevent deaths among vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, children, and individuals with chronic conditions,” the agency concluded.
The agency reaffirmed that it operates strictly within its regulatory mandate and would not be distracted by what it described as “coordinated misinformation efforts” aimed at weakening public confidence in its enforcement activities.
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