The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned against hawking of drugs in Nigeria, saying apart from selling substandard or expired drugs, they (hawkers) also supply narcotics to criminal networks.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, said this in Abuja on Tuesday at the official flag-off of the agency’s media sensitisation workshop on dangers of drug hawking and ripening of fruits with calcium carbides.
Ms Adeyeye, who described drug hawkers as “merchants of deaths,” said the menace of drug hawking poses a serious challenge to the country’s healthcare delivery system and that it underscores the agency’s resolute determination to eradicate the illicit trade.
She said most of the drugs sold by the illiterate and semi-illiterate hawkers are counterfeit, substandard, or expired, and therefore do not meet the quality, safety, and efficacy requirements of regulated medicines.
She explained that prescription drugs are also sold by the itinerant hawkers who “hold consultations, recommend and prescribe medicines to their gullible patients.”
“Many drug hawkers are knowingly or unknowingly merchants of death who expose essential and life-saving medicines to the vagaries of inclement weather which degrade the active ingredients of the medicine and turn them to poisons, thus endangering human lives,” she said.
Ms Adeyeye said drug hawkers are also major distributors and suppliers of narcotic medicines to criminal networks such as armed bandits, insurgents, kidnappers, and armed robbers.
She said drug hawkers constitute a serious threat to national security.
She noted that drugs are sensitive life-saving commodities which should not be sold on the streets, motor parks, or open markets just like any other article of trade.
She said any drug hawker arrested by NAFDAC will be prosecuted and face a jail term.
“I wish to warn that any drug hawker arrested by NAFDAC will be prosecuted, will face a jail term, and our enforcement officers are currently carrying out synchronised nationwide operation,” she said.
“No offender will be spared from facing the full wrath of the law. In this regard, we solicit the cooperation and support of all other law enforcement agencies, Nigerian journalists and well-meaning Nigerians in ridding the country of this harmful and shameful practice.”
The security situation has continued to degenerate in Nigeria with almost every part of the nation recording banditary, kidnappings, and mass killings.
As a sresult of the insecurity, the management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) announced temporary relocation of its orientation camp in Plateau State from Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) to Jos, the state capital.
According to the leadership of the Mwaghavul people of the local government, more than 200 lives have been lost to incessant killings within the last two months.
The National President, Mwaghavul Development Association, MDA Chief Joseph Gwankat who spoke said, “It is instructive to still re-emphasize that the Mwaghavul people have been living in peace with their neighbours from time immemorial, and have never attacked any of them for whatever reasons. However, recently, Fulani terrorists chose us as a target for mayhem without any form of provocation.
“Preceding the attacks which started from April till date, shortly after the governorship election, several cases of kidnapping, farmland destruction and other criminal activities perpetrated by these Fulani terrorists were recorded in different parts of the LGA, yet
“This evil act is being perpetrated under Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN). Our villages deserted due to the attacks by the Fulani militia have become grazing fields for the Fulani herders. The following is the list of our villages attacked by Fulani terrorist herdsmen based on districts (as of 7th July 2023) and the number of people killed.
“Number of people killed – 70 Kombun District: Fungkipang, Nting. Number of people killed – 5. Mangu District: Jwaktumbi, Kantoma, Mangul, Alohom 1, Alohom 2, Gongon, Dan Hausa, Kikyau 1 and 2, Gudum, Tyop, Kwaskipanleng, Gaude, Bure, and Ntam. Number of people killed – 70. Bungha District: Jwak Raas. No death.
“Panyam District: Changal, Kombili, Washna, Jwak Chom, Larkas, Fushi, Kwahas, Dangdai, Atuhun, Adep, Ajing, Daika, Dikong, Lakopal, Kogul, and Niyes. Number of people killed – 30. Pushit District: Lakasi, Gwet 2, Gwet 1, Mutong, Keptul, Gung, Pyantuhul, Kus Hi, Nbwor, Vodni, Pwaskop, and Nten. Number of people killed – 17. Kerang District: Konji. Number of people killed – 8
NAFDAC, Nigeria’s regulatory body for food and drugs, has continued to clamp down on illicit drug sellers in the country.
While applauding NAFDAC’s decision to clampdown on those involved in the illegal sale and use of hard drugs following the analysis of its effects on those who abuse the substance, which include: disorientation, lightheadedness; fainting spells; hallucinations; falling unconscious and/or suffocating from lack of oxygen; and other neurological complications, especially psychiatric symptoms NEWS ECHO employs other stakeholders especially the Federal Ministry of Health, to assist in curbing the menace by not hesitating to wield the big stick against anyone, no matter the social status, involved in illegal sale or use of hard drugs in the overall interest of public health.
