The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned controversial influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), against inciting traders at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market against the agency.
In a recent viral video, VDM alleged that NAFDAC staff asked the traders at Ogbogwu market to pay the sum of N700,000 to have their shops reopened.
In the video, he stated that he had never been to Onitsha, but that alleged extortion and stealing by NAFDAC officials prompted his visit to the state. He noted that he has come to call NAFDAC out but to stop such evil acts.
“I have never been here before, a very important thing has brought me here. What brought me here is what I call extortion and stealing from NAFDAC, and I want to call them out so that they will stop. For what you people are doing here are evil.”
He further stated that, according to the traders, over 5000 shops were closed by the agency on the basis that they sell fake drugs.
He added that after three months, NAFDAC tasked the traders to pay the sum of N500,000 to have their shops opened, and later increased the levy to N700,000 after two weeks.
Quoting VDM, “NAFDAC, my question is this, the N700,000 fine imposed on the traders, is it a guarantee to continue to produce fake drugs? Again, if they truly carried fake drugs, where are the people you caught? Are you not supposed to prosecute them while the people with genuine drugs continue their businesses?”
However, speaking via a statement signed by its Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC clarified that traders who complied with regulatory requirements have been permitted to resume business, with over 2,500 traders in 3,500 shops operational since March 9, 2025.
The regulatory body stated that the enforcement, conducted between February 9 and March 27, 2025, targeted unregistered, banned, expired, substandard, and falsified medicines, including controlled substances.
The agency explained that markets that were raided failed to meet Good Storage and Distribution Practices and lacked proper registration under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
“State governments granted a moratorium allowing traders to relocate to a Coordinated Wholesale Centre that meets regulatory standards,” NAFDAC added.
“Due to the intervention of respective state governments, traders were given a moratorium to relocate to a conducive Coordinated Warehouse Centre where their activities can be monitored and controlled, while they remain accountable for previous infractions as a deterrent in accordance with gazetted regulations.
“The market reopened on March 9, 2025, and over 2,500 traders with 3,500 shops who complied with regulatory procedures have resumed normal activities at Ogbogwu Market.
“It is important to note that the few remaining shops whose owners have refused identification are those linked to outrightly banned narcotics according to our database. The cartel and their co-conspirators are responsible for incitements aimed at diverting attention from the real issues to evade justice for heinous crimes against humanity,” the statement said.
NAFDAC also expressed concern over VDM’s videos, describing them as potentially inciting and possibly in breach of the Cybercrime Act.
“The agency’s attention has been drawn to misleading videos trending on social media inciting traders at Onitsha Bridge Head Market by a social media influencer. NAFDAC wishes to alert the public and security agencies to this incitement, which may constitute a violation of the Cybercrime Act.
“The influencer has openly encouraged his audience to defy NAFDAC’s regulatory processes following enforcement operations conducted under the Office of the National Security Adviser. The agency will allow law enforcement to determine if he has violated any laws, particularly regarding incitement through video content.
“NAFDAC remains committed to ensuring that all medical products medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and others used in Nigeria are of good quality, safe, and efficacious. We continue to monitor these commodities to prevent deaths among pregnant women, children, and adults living with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
“NAFDAC operates strictly within its mandate,” the statement stated.
