NAFDAC Seizes ₦5bn ‘Counterfeit Rice’ in Nasarawa, Shuts Down Multiple Factories

Abuja, NIGERIA — In a dramatic crackdown aimed at safeguarding public health during the festive season, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized counterfeit rice worth an astonishing ₦5 billion in Nasarawa State. The extensive operation also led to the closure of eight rice shops and a large warehouse located in Karu Local Government Area.

NAFDAC’s enforcement action was launched after the agency uncovered a disturbing network involved in the illegal production and distribution of counterfeit rice, leading to the seizure of over 1,600 bags of the substandard grain. The rice was found repackaged in popular branded bags such as Big Bull, Royal Stallion, and Tomato Aposo, brands widely recognized by Nigerian consumers.

In a statement released on its official X handle, NAFDAC detailed how the illicit rice was being marketed under these well-known names to deceive unsuspecting buyers, especially during the busy holiday season. Empty branded rice bags were also discovered at the Karu warehouse, further exposing the depth of the fraudulent operation.

The operation was expanded to markets in Abuja, with NAFDAC teams visiting Wuse and Garki to ensure that counterfeit products were not reaching the capital’s consumers. The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized the urgency of the raid, noting that the counterfeit rice could pose significant health risks to the public, particularly as millions prepare to celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Speaking after the operation, the Director of NAFDAC’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Zone, Kenneth Azikiwe, issued a stern warning to counterfeiters. “We are sending a clear message to those engaging in this criminal activity: you cannot hide behind false labels and expect to go unpunished,” Azikiwe said. “The suspects apprehended during the operation will face the full force of the law, and we will not rest until this menace is eradicated.”

The raid comes at a time when concerns about the safety and quality of food products have been raised across the country. NAFDAC’s efforts to clamp down on fake and expired goods are seen as part of its broader initiative to protect consumers from potentially harmful products. In recent months, the agency has ramped up enforcement efforts, focusing on the end-of-year period when consumer demand for food products typically spikes.

This is not the first time NAFDAC has uncovered illegal practices linked to food products in the region. Earlier this month, another major operation led to the shutdown of over 150 shops at Eziukwu Market in Aba, Abia State, in what the agency called one of its most significant anti-counterfeiting actions of the year.

The two-day raid in Aba, which took place on December 16 and 17, 2024, revealed a shocking array of counterfeit and expired products in circulation. Beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items, including noodles, powdered milk, and yogurt, were all found to be part of a vast counterfeit network operating out of the market. The items, worth an estimated ₦5 billion, were promptly seized and destroyed by NAFDAC’s team.

Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director for the South-East Zone, expressed his deep disappointment over the ongoing illegal practices in the region, particularly in Aba, which has been flagged as a notorious hub for counterfeit goods. Despite a prior commitment by market leaders in December 2023 to clamp down on such activities, counterfeit products continue to flood the market, undermining public health efforts.

Iluyomade’s frustration was palpable as he reiterated the agency’s commitment to holding wrongdoers accountable. “The situation in Aba is deeply concerning,” he said. “Despite multiple warnings and interventions, some market traders remain determined to sell harmful, substandard products to Nigerians. This cannot continue.”

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s zero-tolerance policy toward counterfeit goods. She stressed that the agency would continue to be vigilant and resolute in its enforcement efforts, particularly in the lead-up to the holiday season when consumer activity is at its peak.

“We will not allow substandard and counterfeit products to be sold in Nigerian markets, especially when they pose a risk to public health,” Adeyeye stated. “Our focus is on ensuring that consumers can trust the products they purchase, and we will continue to take strong action against those who seek to exploit Nigerians for profit.”

NAFDAC has promised to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that counterfeiters face legal consequences. The agency is also exploring new strategies to prevent the distribution of fake goods, including closer collaboration with market leaders and improved intelligence gathering.

As the festive season approaches, Nigerians are advised to be cautious and make sure that the products they purchase are genuine. NAFDAC has urged consumers to look for the agency’s certification marks and to report any suspicious activities in their local markets.