Ogbo-Ogwu Market Hands Over N265m Worth of Fake, Expired Drugs to NAFDAC

Nnewi, Anambra State — Bridge Head Medicine Market, widely known as Ogbo-Ogwu Market, has surrendered N265 million worth of counterfeit, expired, and substandard drugs to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), authorities confirmed.

The handover, coordinated by Mr. Ndubisi Chukwuleta, Chairman of Ogbo-Ogwu Market, involved over 400 cartons of illicit pharmaceuticals seized by the market taskforce during periodic inspections following NAFDAC operations earlier in the year. Chukwuleta said the market’s monitoring efforts aim to eradicate the trade of unsafe medicines.

“We are here to hand over these seized products to NAFDAC. They include unwholesome, expired, banned, fake, and substandard products, worth approximately N265 million,” Chukwuleta said. “Some were seized last year, while others were confiscated after recent NAFDAC operations. We will not allow merchants of death masquerading as traders to sell products that harm Nigerians.”

He acknowledged that enforcing compliance has met resistance from some traders but affirmed that the market taskforce remains undeterred.

Receiving the products at NAFDAC’s Agulu office in Anaocha Local Government Area, State Coordinator Pharm. Louis Maduabattah praised the market leadership for their proactive approach in safeguarding public health.

“This is a commendable initiative. Expired products must be handed over to NAFDAC for proper disposal, and the market’s mechanism to remove unwholesome products is exemplary,” Maduabattah said. “It protects the public from harmful substances and reinforces regulatory compliance.”

The collaboration highlights ongoing efforts between market authorities and regulatory agencies to prevent the circulation of counterfeit and unsafe drugs, reinforcing public health and safety across Nigeria.