Traders in Onitsha protest NAFDAC’s market closure, demanding the reopening of Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market, accusing the agency of unjustified seizures

Traders at the Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the continuous closure of their shops by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The protest, which saw over 2,000 traders march from Oshogbo Park to Uga Junction and back, highlighted growing frustration over what they describe as the unjustified sealing of the market.

The traders, who belong to the Concerned and Genuine Members of Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market group, voiced concerns over the severe hardship caused by the closure.

The protesters claimed that the action had led to several deaths, with at least five traders reportedly succumbing to depression and hunger, while many others have been hospitalised.

The protesters also alleged that NAFDAC is demanding a N2 million fine from each shop owner as a condition for reopening the market. This, they claimed, is a financial burden they cannot bear.

Placards carried by the protesters displayed messages condemning the agency’s actions and demanding immediate intervention from the Federal Government.

Ifeanyi Chinedu, the National Convener/Secretary of the group, addressed the media during the protest, expressing their dissatisfaction with NAFDAC’s handling of the situation.

He stated that the traders’ shops remain locked despite NAFDAC’s claim of reopening the market. Chinedu further accused NAFDAC officials of illegally seizing goods worth billions of Naira, including drugs from multinational companies in countries like the USA, Germany, Turkey, and Pakistan.

He also denied claims that the drugs seized were substandard or fake, calling such allegations “malicious lies” meant to tarnish the reputation of the traders.

According to Chinedu, the traders are calling for an independent inquiry to investigate the seizure of goods, as well as the practices of NAFDAC officials involved in the operation.

He insisted that the goods seized were properly registered and met international standards. Additionally, the traders rejected the N2 million fine imposed by NAFDAC, describing it as “criminal” and unjust.

“The claims by NAFDAC officials that our various shops were being searched in our presence are another set of malicious and fabricated lies meant to carpet their heinous crime of barbaric breaking, entering, searching, and looting of someone’s shop in his absence,” Chinedu said.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the traders passed a vote of no confidence on the market caretaker committee, calling for their immediate resignation.

They further demanded the immediate reopening of the market to allow legitimate business operations to resume. The traders also appealed to the Federal Minister of Health, the National Security Adviser, and the National Assembly to intervene and ensure that the market is reopened without delay.

One trader, Uchechukwu Ola, shared his personal ordeal, explaining that the closure had rendered him unable to feed his family.

“It’s been two months since our market was sealed, and within this period, we have not been able to feed, as the shop is the only source of living we depend upon,” Ola said.

He strongly denied NAFDAC’s claims that the market was involved in the sale of fake or substandard drugs, asserting that the drugs in question were genuine and properly registered.

In a response to the allegations, NAFDAC’s Zonal Director for the South-East, Martins Iluyomade, rejected the traders’ claims.

He emphasised that the enforcement exercise, which lasted from February 10 to March 5, 2025, was conducted in compliance with NAFDAC’s legal mandate.

Iluyomade stated that the items seized from the shops did not have NAFDAC approval and were potentially harmful substances that could destabilise the country.

“The allegations are baseless and unfounded,” Iluyomade said. “The enforcement exercise was carried out as stipulated by law, and the items we seized were narcotics and other unapproved medicines with dangerous effects.

There is a direct correlation between these drugs and rising insecurity in the country.”

The protest has sparked wider discussions about NAFDAC’s role in regulating drug markets and its relationship with local traders.