Agency The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has warned against attack or obstruction of duty while its personnel are carrying out enforcement operations against substandard drugs and falsified goods. The warning was given by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC, Mr Shaba Mohammed, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja. He explained that the warning became necessary following an attack on its enforcement team by drug hawkers and touts in February.
Mohammed, who is also the Chairman, Federal Task Force on Fake and Counterfeit Products, said some of those involved in the attack were facing trial before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, adding that the arraignment would serve as a deterrent to those with similar intention. He added, “Those arraigned recently in the court are part of those who attacked NAFDAC officials while on enforcement duty some months ago. “Arraigning them in court is to pay for their sins, this is also to advise the public to desist from attacking NAFDAC staff while on duty’’, he said.
“I will not say there are no counterfeit products in circulation. But such products are brought into the country by unscrupulous elements who do not mean well for the country.” The NADAC director said criminals who bring in counterfeit drugs use hawkers to push them into circulation, adding that NAFDAC will not stop arresting hawkers until the whole system beco.
