*Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of Nigeria鈥檚 National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, avers the raid of illegal factories specialising in producing fake Coca-Cola, Hennessy, Seaman Schnapps, Sprite, Peak Milk, and other beverages in the Cemetery Market, in Aba, Abia State, is 鈥榓 major step toward safeguarding public health and curbing the circulation of fake products鈥� in the country

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

As part of continued efforts at safeguarding the health of consumers, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut the infamous Cemetery Market, in Aba, Abia State, South-East Nigeria, for the second time in two years.

The NAFDAC said its operatives uncovered and seized fake cum substandard food items as well as beverages worth over N5 billion in its latest operation tagged, 鈥淥peration Clean Up Aba鈥�.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC

The Cemetery Market, in Aba, described as a hub for Africa鈥檚 biggest counterfeit wines and beverages cartel, is apparently notorious for producing fake alcoholic drinks, carbonated beverages, and food products.

绿帽献妻 report the agency鈥檚 operatives, during a two-day operation, December 16 and 17, 2024, had sealed off 150 shops at Eziukwu Market, in Aba.

The NAFDAC team at the time also discovered large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items such as noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, while commenting on the development in a statement signed and issued Tuesday, January 28, 2025, described the latest raid in the Cemetery Market, Aba, as 鈥渢he most decisive action in the history of the market.

鈥淭his is a major step toward safeguarding public health and curbing the circulation of fake products in Nigeria.鈥�

240 Illegal factories producing fakes of popular brands of beverages

Adeyeye also disclosed that during the 鈥渃lean-up operation鈥� in Abia State, the operatives uncovered over 240 makeshift factories that were producing fake products under unsanitary conditions for consumers.

She equally noted that the affected factories used harmful chemicals, contaminated water, and recycled bottles to manufacture counterfeit versions of popular brands, including Hennessy, Seaman Schnapps, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Peak Milk and Hollandia Yoghurt.

The Director-General of NAFDAC further stated: 鈥淭hese criminal elements use unhygienic sources of water, saccharin, colouring agents, and harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption.

鈥淭he adulteration of alcoholic beverages involves cheaper sugars and starches instead of fruits or grapes.鈥�

Besides, over 1,500 cartons of fake products were destroyed on-site, with the total street value of the seized and destroyed goods estimated at N5 billion.

Adeyeye explained the operation also led to the discovery of three warehouses stockpiling expired Hollandia Yoghurt for revalidation January 22.

NAFDAC commends Abia State Government for support

Meanwhile, the health sector regulatory agency has commended Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and the State Government for supporting the NAFDAC raid in the state.

Prof. Adeyeye stated: 鈥淭he unwavering support of Governor Alex Otti, the Mayor of Aba South, and the interim market management committee has been critical to the success of 鈥極peration Clean Up Aba鈥�.鈥�

NAFDAC, therefore, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious products to the nearest NAFDAC office.

The Director-General as well asserted: 鈥淲e are determined to safeguard the health of the nation and rid markets of fake and substandard products.鈥�