Nigeria’s NAFDAC raids Aba Cemetery market, seizes US$3.3M worth of counterfeit products
NIGERIA – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has carried out a large-scale raid at the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, seizing counterfeit food and beverage products worth over N5 billion (US$3.26M).
The operation, which targeted 240 illegal factories disguised as shops, was conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police.
It is part of NAFDAC’s ongoing effort to combat the spread of fake and substandard food and beverages, marks the second time the agency has targeted the market in just over a year.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the raid as one of the largest and most comprehensive in the agency’s history.
The Cemetery Market has long been notorious for the production and distribution of fake and substandard goods, including alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and other consumables.
Among the confiscated products were counterfeit versions of popular brands such as Seaman Schnapps, Hennessy, Four Cousins, Coca-Cola, Fanta, Schweppes, and Amstel Malta.
Additionally, NAFDAC seized fake home-use products, including Peak Sachet Milk, Cowbell Sachet Milk, and Cadbury Chocolate Drink.
According to NAFDAC, these factories produced harmful and adulterated products using unsafe chemicals, unhygienic water sources, and recycled bottles.
Over 1,500 cartons of fake products were seized during the operation and destroyed on-site. The estimated street value of the confiscated goods is a staggering N5 billion (US$3.26M).
The operation follows a similar raid in December 2023, which resulted in the seizure of fake products valued at over N750 million (US$488.3K).
On January 22, 2025, NAFDAC also uncovered three major warehouses stockpiling expired Hollandia Yoghurt for illegal revalidation.
Prof. Adeyeye assured the public of the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health and urged citizens to report any suspicious food and beverage products to the nearest NAFDAC office.
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