The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has made a significant move against the sale of counterfeit rice, shutting down eight rice shops and a warehouse in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
This crackdown, which also reached Wuse and Garki markets in Abuja, resulted in the seizure of over 1,600 bags of fake rice, valued at approximately N5 billion.
The operation was led by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and aimed to protect public health during the festive season.
The counterfeit rice was cleverly repackaged in popular branded bags, such as Big Bull, Royal Stallion, and Tomato Aposo, designed to deceive consumers into thinking they were buying trusted products.
In the course of the operation, empty branded rice bags were also uncovered, which pointed to illegal repackaging activities.
“The operation was initiated based on intelligence received from the public and brand owners,” explained Mr. Kenneth Azikiwe, Director of NAFDAC’s FCT Directorate.
Azikiwe added that NAFDAC received tips from concerned citizens and reports from the companies whose brands were being counterfeited.
“Upon receiving these intelligence reports, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye gave clear instructions to ensure that only safe, quality, and wholesome food products were available to Nigerians, especially during the yuletide period,” he said.
He emphasised that the NAFDAC Director-General had ordered swift action against those involved in counterfeiting popular rice brands.
“This illegal act of counterfeiting is dangerous because consumers are tricked into buying substandard products,” Azikiwe stressed.
The operation also uncovered shocking details about the scale of the illicit trade.
Surveillance activities led NAFDAC officials to a warehouse located behind a residential house, where a woman specialised in repackaging well-known rice brands such as Bull 25kg, Stallion Rice 10kg, and Tomato Rice 25kg.
The repackaging process was done at night to avoid detection.
“Once the rice was repackaged, it was moved to another warehouse during the day for sale to unsuspecting consumers,” Azikiwe explained.
To avoid suspicion, the woman stored the packaging materials in her residence, keeping the operation hidden from view.
During the raid, NAFDAC seized both the packaging materials and the counterfeit rice.
The agency then proceeded to inspect additional warehouses, where similar counterfeit operations were discovered. The rice in these warehouses was also seized and destroyed.
Azikiwe urged the public to be more cautious when purchasing food, particularly during the festive season.
“We advise consumers to only buy products from accredited and trusted food stores,” he said. “Reputable dealers or supermarkets with reliable supply chains are the best places to purchase quality goods.”
He also reminded Nigerians to always check for NAFDAC registration numbers on food products to ensure they are buying safe, genuine items.
This move by NAFDAC highlights the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians, especially during the busy festive period.
For many families, rice is an essential part of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, making this operation especially timely.
Counterfeit food products are a growing concern in Nigeria, with many unsuspecting consumers falling victim to substandard goods that can pose serious health risks.
As the festive season approaches, the government and NAFDAC are urging Nigerians to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the sale of counterfeit goods.
In a statement, NAFDAC reiterated its resolve to continue its efforts against counterfeiters and protect consumers from harmful products.
“This is just the beginning of our efforts to ensure that Nigerians can trust the food they buy,” said Azikiwe. “We will not stop until those responsible for these dangerous activities are brought to justice.”
The NAFDAC operation has been widely praised by Nigerians, who are calling for more action against food counterfeiters.
Consumers are advised to always buy rice and other food items from reputable shops, especially as the holiday season intensifies.
