Traders at the Ogbo Ogwu Bridgehead Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, took to the streets on Tuesday to voice their frustration over the ongoing closure of their shops by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The dissatisfied traders also rejected the alleged N2 million fine imposed by NAFDAC for reopening their shops, according to reports from Vanguard.For the past two months, the market has remained closed, leading to significant economic hardships, financial difficulties, and even tragic losses among traders.
Under the banner of the Concerned and Genuine Members of Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market, the demonstrators highlighted the severe consequences of the lockdown. They reported that at least five members have lost their lives due to stress, depression, and hunger, while many others have required hospitalization.
With hundreds of protesters in attendance, they displayed placards bearing messages like “Trouble is too much for us,” “We are not merchants of death,” “We are saving lives,” and “NAFDAC, stop the intimidation now.” Their march took them from the Oshogbo Motor Park to the River Niger Bridge and back to Uga Junction, as they called for immediate government intervention.
During the protest, the National Convener/Secretary of the group, Chinedu Ifeacho, along with co-convener Emmanuel Ozoemenam, challenged NAFDAC’s claims that the market has reopened. They insisted their shops remain locked and accused the agency of unlawfully seizing billions of naira worth of registered pharmaceutical products.
“We urge the Federal Government to step in and investigate the alleged seizure of fake drugs. NAFDAC officials illegally broke into our shops in our absence and took more than 60 trailer loads of genuine, registered drugs,” Ifeacho stated.
Affected traders, including Prince Friday Osisi and Stephen Enebo, further alleged that NAFDAC confiscated high-quality medications manufactured by reputable multinational pharmaceutical companies from countries like the USA, Germany, Turkey, and Pakistan. They labeled NAFDAC’s claims of fake and substandard drugs as “malicious lies” aimed at damaging the market’s reputation.
The protestors are calling for a high-powered investigative panel to look into the confiscated drugs and the actions of NAFDAC, the immediate reopening of the market without conditions, prosecution of those found with fake or substandard drugs, and the removal of the current caretaker committee, led by Chukwuelota, for its perceived inefficiency.
They also expressed a vote of no confidence in the caretaker committee chairman and his executive, demanding their prompt resignation.
Many traders shared their distress regarding the lengthy closure, with some claiming they can no longer support their families. “It’s been two months since our market was sealed, and we have been struggling to survive,” lamented trader Uchechukwu Ola.
Uchechukwu added, “We want the government to reopen the market; we deal in genuine products, and NAFDAC’s claims are false.”
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