The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raided five shops at Old Court Road Market in Aba, Abia State, seizing counterfeit packaging materials estimated to be worth more than ₦200 million.
The operation followed intelligence reports linking the shops to the alleged production and supply of fake packaging materials for alcoholic beverages and other consumer products.
According to NAFDAC, the items recovered included counterfeit labels, bottle corks, packs and outer packaging bearing the names of popular brands, including Jameson, Glenfiddich, Four Cousins, Lord’s Dry Gin, Imperial Blue, Goya Oil, Chelsea, Squadron and Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps.
The agency said its Investigation and Enforcement operatives encountered threats and resistance from traders during the raid, making it difficult to evacuate the seized materials.
NAFDAC added that the owners of the five shops were absent when its officials arrived. The affected premises were subsequently sealed to prevent interference with the materials remaining inside.
Following the operation, the agency invited the market union chairman, who reportedly pledged to help secure the sealed shops and assist in identifying and presenting their owners for investigation.
The agency did not announce any arrests in connection with the raid.
The seizure comes amid renewed efforts by NAFDAC to curb the circulation of counterfeit products across Nigeria, particularly fake alcoholic beverages that could be packaged and sold to unsuspecting consumers under the names of established brands.
Counterfeit packaging can make it difficult for consumers to distinguish genuine products from fake ones, raising concerns about product authenticity, safety and public health.
NAFDAC has continued to urge traders to comply with regulatory requirements, warning that those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit products risk enforcement action.
