TheCable

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested five persons for allegedly selling counterfeit cosmetics in Abuja.

The arrests were made on Wednesday at the Garki and Wuse axis.

Speaking with journalists after the exercise, Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, NAFDAC head of investigation and enforcement, said the agency had been investigating some of the counterfeit cosmetics following intelligence reports.

He said the market value of the seized products is N35 million, adding that some of them were illegally imported.

“NAFDAC is present in all the ports of entry of the country. But with the nature of our borders, these smugglers will always find a way to beat the system that government has put in place,” he said.

“That is why if they escape from the port or borders, we go to the market and to all the places, gather intelligence report, go after them and confiscate these product for possible prosecution.”

Godiya said the arrested persons will be investigated, adding that NAFDAC would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit product are completely wiped out of the country.

He added that after investigation, the management of the agency will take regulatory action, which will probably include prosecution of suspects.

He called on Nigerians to collaborate with NAFDAC in the fight against counterfeit products.