NAFDAC arrests six, seals shops in Kano over illegal sale of bleaching creams

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says its operatives have arrested six persons and sealed several shops in Sabon Gari, Kano, over the illegal sale of skin-bleaching creams.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Kasim Ibrahim, Kano state coordinator of NAFDAC, said the operation followed public complaints received on social media and a directive from the agency’s director-general.

Ibrahim said the agency’s investigation uncovered six suspects involved in the distribution and unregulated use of bleaching creams.

“Following complaints received through various social media channels and a directive from the director-general, we carried out discreet surveillance and mystery shopping on the products in question,” NAN quoted the NAFDAC coordinator as saying.

“The products were allegedly marketed as beauty spa treatments but contained harmful and unapproved substances.

“After thorough analysis and robust discussions, we identified approximately six individuals involved in these illegal activities.”

He said the raid conducted in collaboration with NAFDAC’s investigation and enforcement directorate led to the arrest of the suspects, profiling of their products, collection of samples for laboratory analysis, and sealing of the affected shops.

Ibrahim added that other companies found to be faking registered cosmetics or violating regulatory provisions were also sealed, pending further action.

“It is in fulfilment of this mandate that we took action to prevent potential public health disasters of significant magnitude. These criminal activities posed serious threats to public safety,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the agency, emphasising NAFDAC’s commitment, under the leadership of Mojisola Adeyeye, the director-general, to strict regulatory enforcement.