Hundreds of traders from the Ogbo Ogwu Bridgehead Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the continued closure of their market by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The market, which has been sealed off for two months, has reportedly caused serious economic hardship, health complications, and even deaths among traders, according to the protesters.
Operating under the banner “Concerned and Genuine Members of Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market,” the traders rejected what they described as an unfair ₦2 million fine imposed by NAFDAC for the reopening of shops.
“We are not merchants of death. We are saving lives,” read one of many placards carried during the protest. Other signs decried intimidation by NAFDAC and called on the Federal Government to intervene urgently.
Chinedu Ifeacho, National Convener of the group, alongside co-convener Emmanuel Ozoemenam, told reporters that contrary to NAFDAC’s claims, the market remains sealed. They accused the agency of breaking into shops and unlawfully confiscating over 60 trailer loads of registered pharmaceutical products.
“These were genuine drugs from top pharmaceutical companies in the U.S., Germany, Turkey, and Pakistan,” said one trader, Prince Friday Osisi, who, along with Stephen Enebo, dismissed NAFDAC’s allegations of fake and substandard products as “malicious lies.”
The traders are demanding:
– Immediate and unconditional reopening of the market
– An investigative panel to probe NAFDAC’s actions
– Prosecution of individuals in possession of fake drugs
– Removal of the market’s caretaker committee, led by Chukwuelota
The traders expressed deep frustration and emotional distress, with several claiming they are now unable to support their families.
“It’s been two months since our market was sealed. We’ve had no income. Some of our members have died from stress and hunger,” lamented trader Uchechukwu Ola.
The protest march stretched from Oshogbo Motor Park to the River Niger Bridge and back to Uga Junction. Despite the tensions, the traders called for a peaceful resolution and urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to step in.
As of now, NAFDAC has not officially responded to the traders’ accusations or the call for an independent investigation.
