NAFDAC allegedly locks idumota pharmacies, demands ₦2m to ₦20m bribes
A post currently trending on popular social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has raised serious allegations against officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC over the closure of pharmacies.
According to the viral post, a pharmacy owner in the Idumota area of Lagos reached out to a social media influencer to air his grievances and seek help over the prolonged closure of pharmacies and medical equipment shops in the area.
The man revealed that businesses dealing in pharmaceuticals and medical supplies have been under lock and key for weeks, with no clear explanation from the authorities.
Initially, NAFDAC operatives stormed the market in search of a particular drug.
However, even after the search concluded, many innocent shop owners whose businesses were found to be compliant have been unable to resume operations.
According to the pharmacy owner, NAFDAC is now allegedly demanding a sum of ₦2 million from shop owners with no incriminating items in their stores, while those found with restricted or illicit substances are being asked to pay ₦20 million.
Expressing his frustration, the man questioned why innocent business owners should be forced to pay such exorbitant sums after being unfairly locked out of their shops for weeks.
He further lamented that the forced closure has crippled businesses, drained savings, and left many traders in debt.
Young apprentices who were recently settled to start their own businesses are now using their startup capital just to survive. Food vendors, porters (alabaru), and even labourers who rely on the market’s activities have also been affected.
The man highlighted the devastating impact on the healthcare sector, stating that numerous orders — including urgent supplies for surgeries and other critical medical procedures — have gone unfulfilled due to the shutdown.
He also called on NAFDAC to publicly show evidence of the destruction of any seized illicit drugs to ensure transparency, expressing fears that the confiscated drugs might end up back in circulation.
In his words:
“Good day, I’m writing to you to raise your voice against the ongoing oppression targeting those of us who sell medicals (drugs and equipment), popularly known as ‘ogbo ogwu’. For four weeks now, our livelihoods have been put on hold. Even though NAFDAC’s search ended two weeks ago, we are still not allowed to reopen our businesses.”
“It’s even more painful because people like me, who sell strictly hospital and medical equipment, have no business with NAFDAC. Yet, we are being made to suffer alongside others.”
“The latest update we got from those who visited the NAFDAC office in Apapa is that shop owners found with no illegal items are required to pay ₦2 million, while those with illegal items must pay ₦20 million. I was not physically present during the negotiations, but this was the information shared on our group chat.”
“Why should I pay ₦2 million when my shop was found to be compliant after weeks of forced closure? Who should be compensating who?”
“Please, I beg you to amplify this injustice. This is the fourth week, and our savings are gone. Many traders are now in debt just to feed their families. Newly settled apprentices are burning through their capital, food sellers have lost their customers, and labourers have lost their income. This crisis is affecting everyone.”
“I can’t even count how many emergency orders we’ve received for surgical supplies and other critical items that we can’t fulfill because of the shutdown. This situation is affecting the entire medical ecosystem in Nigeria.”
“Lastly, NAFDAC should be transparent and show video evidence of the destruction of any seized illicit drugs. This is Nigeria — we all know how things work. Please help us raise this issue.”
As the post circulated online, concerned Nigerians flooded the comment section to express their outrage and share their opinions on the situation.
See some reactions below:
@LawalFuad1: “To corroborate this, I have a neighbour who is getting a job at a shop in Lagos. The only thing pending him starting the job is cos of the closure. Now here is the chills, HE SAID NAFDAC ARE REQUESTING FOR SOME FUNDS BEFORE THOSE PLACE CAN OPEN. really didn’t beliv at 1st.”
@ifypearls: “NAFDAC having closed down the drug markets, are asking for bribes to reopen the markets. It’s crazy.”
@Uzodicemillion1: “Yes I’m a business owner in idumota too. Yesterday makes it 3 weeks that our market has been shut down,and NAFDAC said that each shop will pay ₦2m and sign agreement that after six months all of us will vacate idumota,bearly 3 yrs I started business after serving my boss.”
@Omoosun100: “Those that sell plumbing equipments have no business with nafdac, but medicines were found in unhealthy storage conditions there. The 2m he is paying is for next time, if he see something, he should say something so that he won’t pay 2m again.”
@MaziOkigbo: “Soludo na akụ asịrị akwụgharị ka ịbiriachị. Anyị afụgo nụ ihe omenwuru. Eche m ma ọ si na ọ ga enye aka expedite a the so called NAFDAC investigations ka afịa ndị o nweghị iwu ha dara mepee.”
@_OmoJesse: “You can’t wake up someone who pretends to be asleep. I would have said there is hope if they make reports but looking at the present Nigeria leadership it is sad to say no help is in sight. The man up there is corruption personified.”
@oforitseno: “Extortion is fast becoming our culture in Nigeria, so sad. NAFDAC should be called to order immediately and those unaffected shops reopened immediately.”
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