The International Human Rights Commission has raised the alarm over the continuous closure of Ogbo-Ogwu Pharmaceutical Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, urging calm amidst growing unrest among traders and local residents.
The shutdown followed part of a nationwide enforcement campaign conducted by NAFDAC between February 9 and March 27, 2025, targeting three key open drug markets — Idumota in Lagos, Ariaria in Aba, and Ogbo-Ogwu, Onitsha in Anambra.
NAFDAC’s operation led to the seizure and destruction of substandard, falsified, and expired medical products estimated to be over N1 trillion.
The operatives of NAFDAC led by the director Dr Martins Iluyomade carried out a one month raid of the market aimed at riding the market of fake, counterfeited, substandard, unregistered and unapproved drugs.
The exercise saw the agency uncovering over 10 trucks of fake products. The products were later destroyed at the ASWAMA dump site in Awka by the agency.
According to the agency, many of the affected warehouses and outlets violated national laws by operating without registration from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and failing to meet Good Storage and Distribution Practice standards.
Various penalties and fines ranging from N700,000 have allegedly been imposed on the defaulting traders before their shops could be reopened.
In a statement, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Moji Christiana Adeyeye, defended its actions, noting that penalties imposed on non-compliant operators were in accordance with gazetted federal regulations.
These included a ₦5 million fine for the sale of unregistered products, later reduced to ₦200,000 after appeals, and a ₦2 million penalty for GSDP violations, also reduced to ₦500,000.
The regulatory action, however, has drawn sharp reactions and fears of economic displacement within the Anambra trading community.
Responding to the unfolding situation in a statement released on Tuesday, the IHRC’s Country Representative, Ambassador Duru Hezekiah, urged all stakeholders to remain calm and to avoid actions that could trigger a breakdown of law and order.
While acknowledging NAFDAC’s legal mandate to safeguard public health, the IHRC emphasised that such enforcement must uphold the principles of fairness, due process, and human dignity—especially where people’s livelihoods are affected.
Hezekiah said, “We call on NAFDAC to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders including market unions, civil society groups, and local authorities.
Enforcement strategies should be balanced, emphasizing compliance education and corrective actions over punitive closures.”
The IHRC also called on the Federal Government to step in, urging the establishment of an independent review panel to assess the circumstances of the market closure and to recommend appropriate remedial actions consistent with the rule of law and human rights standards.
Reaffirming its commitment to justice and equity, the IHRC offered to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and constructive resolution.
It also appealed to both the Anambra State Government and federal authorities to act swiftly to de-escalate the situation.
Justice and human dignity must remain the foundation of regulatory governance,” the IHRC concluded.
