The enforcement team of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Tuesday, uncovered a large-scale counterfeit alcoholic beverage operation at the Zamfara and Niger Plazas, at Trade Fair Complex, along the Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos State. The two storey building, having 12 shops both sides on each floor was discovered that majority of those shops are for production of the fake, adulterated or revalidation of expired products. According to the Director in Enforcement unit of NAFDAC, Kunle Ojo, while speaking with the press during the raid said the discovery was made possible through gathered intelligent reports. “We were told to come into the premises through the backyard in order to catch them unaware, but unfortunately, most of them escaped through the front gate while we were able to arrest two of them. They always use the shops which also serve as warehouses as their operating place. Speaking with LEADERSHIP at the scene, the Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Christiana Obiazikwor said she wondered why the people are so desperate in their evil work. “We sealed their first location after raid, then they relocated to this new place. We shall deal with them to stop them from circulation of such dangerous products.” And while addressing the media after the raid, Obiazikwor who led the team with other directors, explained her reason for following the team of enforcement for the exercise. According to her, she decided to accompanying the enforcement team in order to further display the commitment and concern of Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye towards pruning fake products. “‘NAFDAC DG, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye is very passionate in tackling of fake, adulterated or expired products in the country, and we want everyone to know that NAFDAC has on daily basis been embarking raid and seizure to prevent them from circulation of our markets with them. We are here to reassure the general public that NAFDAC is on top of the situation and we will get to the roots. Moreover, Obiazikwor maintained, “‘on behalf of the DG, I want to reiterate that NAFDAC DG and the entire workforce of NAFDAC enforcement teams, with the collaboration of well meaning Nigerians we shall win the war against expired or adulterated products across the country. Though unscrupulous people are selling poisonous drinks, collaboration of general public will help. We need more whistle-blowers, if you see something, say something, we are appealing to the general public to keep informing NAFDAC of any fake producers, we shall always protect your identification, we need more intelligent reports to help us arrest such producers of fake, adulterated or those who are relabelling expire products for sale. On his part, the Deputy Enforcement officer, Kunle Ojo cried utterly against the nefarious activities of the fake manufacturers of fake drinks. According to Ojo, “As Christmas is fast approaching, these evil minded individuals want to keep destroying lives with fake products, and we are here to ensure that they are arrested from such act. We were able to get here today based on intelligent reports. We need the assistance of the general public to expose such producers. Moreover, the Agency urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious manufacturing, repackaging expired products to NAFDAC offices.
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