The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has executed a thorough mop-up operation in various markets in Maiduguri, Borno State, in response to the recent flooding that contaminated numerous food and drug supplies.
In a press statement signed by Sayo Akintola, the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, the operation targeted key locations including the Gamboru Drug and Food Market, Monday Market, Open Air-Theatre Drug Market, and Gwange Drug Market. The initiative aimed to prevent the reintroduction of contaminated items into the market, thereby safeguarding public health and mitigating the risk of disease outbreaks.
Following the devastating floods in Maiduguri, which submerged the Gamboru drug market and resulted in the washing and sun-drying of contaminated drugs for resale, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, ordered the immediate closure of the affected market. This decision facilitated a comprehensive shop-to-shop inspection and removal of compromised drugs.
Kenneth Azikiwe, the NAFDAC Director in the North-East, highlighted the serious public health risks posed by the floodwaters, stating, “The recent floods have posed a significant risk to public health by contaminating food and drug supplies. Our swift action in these markets is crucial to ensure that only safe and uncontaminated products are available to the public.”
The operation, led by Prof. Adeyeye, resulted in the identification and removal of compromised items, with an estimated total value exceeding N5 billion. Officials from Borno, Yobe, Gombe, and the NAFDAC area laboratory meticulously inspected the markets, ensuring that all contaminated items were appropriately disposed of.
In addition to the removal of hazardous products, NAFDAC provided guidance to market vendors and the public on how to identify and manage potentially contaminated goods in the future. The agency also announced the closure of all manufacturing facilities engaged in the production of regulated products located in flood-affected areas, allowing for a reassessment of Good Manufacturing Practices before resuming production.
NAFDAC has committed to ongoing surveillance and monitoring of all areas within Maiduguri that were not covered in this operation. The agency emphasized its dedication to safeguarding the health of Nigerians by ensuring that all food and drug products meet stringent safety and quality standards.
Through rigorous inspections, testing, and public education initiatives, NAFDAC strives to protect the health and well-being of Nigerians. The agency urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or compromised products to the nearest NAFDAC office.