NAFDAC Fires Back! Denies Demanding ₦700K from Shop Owners After VeryDarkMan’s Viral Accusation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has responded to widespread criticism following its recent enforcement activities at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market in Anambra State.

The backlash was sparked by popular social media personality Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, who alleged that NAFDAC demanded ₦700,000 from each shop owner before allowing them to reopen their stores.

In a statement signed by NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency denied the allegation, stating that traders who complied with regulatory requirements have since resumed operations, with over 2,500 traders occupying 3,500 shops fully operational as of March 9, 2025.

NAFDAC clarified that the enforcement campaign, carried out between February 9 and March 27, 2025, targeted the sale of unregistered, banned, expired, substandard, and counterfeit medicines, including controlled drugs.

The agency explained that the raided markets did not meet Good Storage and Distribution Practices (GSDP) and failed to register under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.

It further stated that state governments intervened by granting a moratorium, allowing affected traders to relocate to a Coordinated Wholesale Centre that complies with national regulations.

“Thanks to the intervention of state authorities, traders were given a grace period to move to regulated facilities where their activities can be properly monitored, while still being held accountable for past infractions in line with NAFDAC’s laws,” the statement said.

The agency noted that remaining shops that are still shut down belong to individuals who have refused identification and are allegedly linked to prohibited narcotic substances, according to NAFDAC’s records.

“The cartels involved and their allies are believed to be behind efforts to mislead the public and derail enforcement, in an attempt to avoid justice for their serious offenses,” the statement added.

NAFDAC also expressed deep concern over the videos posted by VeryDarkMan, describing them as incendiary and possibly in violation of the Cybercrime Act.

“We alert both the public and security agencies to the incitement being circulated on social media, which may amount to a breach of Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act,” NAFDAC warned.