According to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), drug dealers play a significant role in the distribution and supply of narcotic medications to criminal organisations such armed bandits, rebels, kidnappers, and armed robbers.
At a one-day media sensitization workshop on the risks of drug hawking and artificially ripening fruits with calcium carbide, Prof. Moji Christianah Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, sounded the alarm about the threat of drug hawking.
Yesterday, the North-East Zone of NAFDAC held the sensitization workshop in Bauchi.
Our national security is seriously threatened, she claimed, by the illegal trade.
She claims that the majority of medications on the market fall short of the standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness set forth by licenced pharmaceuticals.
She also assured that NAFDAC will continue to be steadfast in its efforts to end the illicit trade.
Using her own words, “Drugs are delicate life-saving commodities which should not be sold on the streets/motor parks or open markets just like any other product of trade. In addition, our Enforcement Officers are currently conducting a coordinated nationwide operation. I want to warn you that any drug peddler captured by NAFDAC will be prosecuted and sentenced to jail.
Nobody will escape the full fury of the law, according to the statement. In order to do this, we kindly ask for the support and collaboration of all other law enforcement organisations, journalists, and well-meaning Nigerians.
Adeyeye disclosed that there had been calls from well-meaning Nigerians on the need to take strict regulatory actions to stem the dangerous tide of drug hawkers and sellers of ripened fruits with Calcium Carbide. Adeyeye was represented by NAFDAC’s Director, Chemical Evaluation and Research, Dr. Leonard Omokpariola.
She bemoaned the deadly practises of dishonest people, which also result in the deaths of innocent citizens, including the ripening of fruits with chemicals and bogus pharmaceuticals.
