NAFDAC Fires Back At VeryDarkMan Over Explosive ₦700K Extortion Allegation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has addressed recent backlash over its enforcement activities at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market in Anambra State.

Controversial social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, had alleged that the agency demanded ₦700,000 from each shop owner as a condition for reopening their stores after they were sealed.

However, in a statement signed by its Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC dismissed the allegations, explaining that only traders who met regulatory standards were allowed to resume operations. According to the agency, over 2,500 traders operating in 3,500 shops have been back in business since March 9, 2025.

The statement clarified that the enforcement operation, which ran from February 9 to March 27, 2025, targeted shops selling unregistered, expired, substandard, banned, or falsified drugs, including controlled substances.

NAFDAC stated that many of the affected markets did not adhere to Good Storage and Distribution Practices and were not properly registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.

The agency noted that state governments had granted a moratorium to allow affected traders time to relocate to a Coordinated Wholesale Centre that complies with regulatory standards.

“Thanks to the intervention of state authorities, a window was granted for traders to move to properly monitored warehouse centres. However, traders are still held accountable for previous infractions to serve as a deterrent, in line with gazetted regulations,” the statement read.

NAFDAC emphasized that the Ogbogwu Market was reopened on March 9, and that only shop owners who refused identification and are linked to banned narcotics remain closed. The agency accused a “cartel” of fueling misinformation and incitement to evade justice for serious offenses against public health.