Popular social media activist, VeryDarkMan, has accused the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of extortion and abuse of power following its decision to shut down and later demand ₦700,000 from each shop in the Ogbogwu medicine market in Onitsha, Anambra State.
In a video posted online, VeryDarkMan said he visited the market, known as one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in West Africa, to expose what he called “oppression” by NAFDAC officials. According to him, the market was closed by NAFDAC on February 8, 2025, over allegations that some traders were selling fake drugs.
Rather than arrest only those allegedly involved in the sale of counterfeit products, NAFDAC reportedly shut down over 5,000 shops in the entire market. After more than three months of closure, shop owners were told to pay ₦500,000 each to reopen — a fee which was later increased to ₦700,000.
“This is injustice and total extortion. If NAFDAC found fake drugs, then those involved should be arrested and prosecuted. Why force over 5,000 shops to pay when only a few are guilty?” VeryDarkMan questioned.
He added that over 1,000 traders have already paid the reopening fee out of desperation to resume their businesses, while many others are unable to afford the amount.
“This is not the Nigeria we want. I am calling on the Federal Government and the Anambra State Government to step in and stop this abuse of office,” he said.
The activist’s outcry has sparked fresh debate on regulatory overreach, especially in critical sectors like health and pharmaceuticals. Some stakeholders argue that while NAFDAC has a responsibility to ensure the safety of drugs sold in Nigerian markets, the punishment must be directed at guilty individuals, not the entire trading community.
So far, NAFDAC has not released an official statement in response to the allegations. However, calls are growing louder for the agency to explain its actions and clarify why a blanket closure was necessary, and why traders are being charged such a high reopening fee.
The Ogbogwu Market is a major hub for pharmaceutical distribution across Nigeria and West Africa, and extended closure has had a ripple effect on the supply of essential drugs in the region.
Traders say they support efforts to rid the market of fake drugs but insist that innocent business owners should not be punished for the actions of a few.
“This is our only means of survival. We’re not against regulation, but this is pure oppression,” one shop owner said.
As pressure mounts, observers say the incident could test the government’s commitment to fairness and the rule of law in market regulation and enforcement.
