The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested five persons for allegedly selling counterfeit cosmetics.
The arrest was made at the Garki and Wuse axis, during an enforcement to curb the sales of substandard goods.
Speaking with journalists after the enforcement, NAFDAC’s Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, Mr. Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, said that the arrested persons would be investigated.
Godiya said that NAFDAC would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products were completely wiped out of the country.
He said the agency has been investigating some of the counterfeit cosmetics, following intelligence reports. He added that some of the products were illegally imported into the country, in spite of security at the borders.
“NAFDAC is present in all the ports of entry of the country, but with the nature of our borders, these smugglers will always find a way to beat the system that the government has put in place.
“That is why if they escape from the port or borders, we go to the market and to all the places, gather intelligence reports, go after them and confiscate these products for possible prosecution,” Godiya said.
He said the market value of the seized cosmetics is N35 million, adding that NAFDAC would continue investigation into the issue, to unravel the level of involvement of the suspects.
Godiya said after investigation, the management of the agency may prosecute those suspects for the crime committed.
He called on Nigerians to collaborate with NAFDAC to fight counterfeit products in the country.
– NAN