The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has called for urgent intervention from the Federal Government following the prolonged closure of Ogbo-Ogwu Pharmaceutical Market in Onitsha, Anambra State. The shutdown, enforced by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has reportedly caused significant economic disruption, sparking unrest among traders and residents.
The market was closed between February 9 and March 27, 2025, as part of NAFDAC’s national crackdown on illegal pharmaceutical operations across three key drug markets — Lagos, Aba, and Onitsha. The agency said it seized and destroyed counterfeit, expired, and falsified drugs worth over ₦1 trillion during the raid.
According to Dr. Martins Iluyomade, who led the enforcement, the market harbored over 10 truckloads of fake medical products. These items were destroyed at ASWAMA’s dump site in Awka.
NAFDAC said its action was guided by federal regulations, citing violations including lack of registration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and non-compliance with Good Storage and Distribution Practices (GSDP). Offending shop owners reportedly faced fines ranging from ₦700,000 to ₦5 million, later reduced after appeals.
Latest News
While NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Moji Christianah Adeyeye, justified the operation as necessary for public health safety, the IHRC raised concerns about the socioeconomic fallout. IHRC’s Country Representative, Ambassador Duru Hezekiah, urged the agency to ensure its enforcement respects human rights and promotes dialogue.
“We call on NAFDAC to engage with market unions and civil society in constructive dialogue. Enforcement should not destroy livelihoods but educate and correct,” said Hezekiah.
The IHRC also appealed to the Federal Government to establish an independent review panel to investigate the shutdown and propose human rights-compliant solutions. The group reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating peaceful resolution and preventing civil unrest.
#NAFDAC #IHRC #AnambraMarket #DrugEnforcement #HumanRights #PublicHealthNigeria #PharmaRaid #OnitshaNews