Metro

NAFDAC, PCN Raid, Seal 1,321 Patent Medicine Outlets In Kano

Published

2 years ago

February 20, 2024

Editor

The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control in collaboration with the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria on Monday raided and sealed not less than 1,321 patent medicine outlets in Sabon Gari open market in Kano.

The joint team of regulators enforcement operations came 72 hours after the Federal High Court ordered the drug dealers to vacate their open market premises and relocate to the Coordinated Wholesale Centre, at Dangwauro village on Zaria road in the state.

While briefing newsmen on Monday, the NAFDAC Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. Francis Ononiwu, explained that the closure was part of exercising its mandate to sanitise unwholesome pharmaceutical practices by the dealers.

According to Mr. Ononiwu, over the years, the patent medicine traders have constituted an imminent threat to public health following the distribution of unwholesome pharmaceutical products to unsuspected members of the public.

Despite operating without valid registration or certification by PCN and other regulatory agencies, the NAFDAC officer expressed worry that medicine dealers have perpetrated a chaotic chain of supply, inimical to the efficacy of pharmaceutical products.

He further disclosed that NAFDAC and PCN are mandated to forcefully evict the drug sellers from the Sabon Gari open market and relocate them to Government government-designed Coordinated Wholesale Centre, following the court verdict.

He wanted the dealers to appreciate the positive reason behind their relocation to the coordinated centre, as part of efforts to fight drug abuse in the country.

“Following the court judgment that ordered the relocation of the patent medicine dealers to CWC, the NAFDAC and PCN joint enforcement team embarked on the enforcement action between the 17th and 18th of February during which not less than 1,321 outlets were sealed.

“The operations were executed in line with the enforcement and regulatory task of the agencies necessary to sanitize drug distribution in Nigeria and to checkmate the chaotic supply of pharmaceuticals, in the open market, a development inimical to public health.

“These people have caused a lot of damage to the health of the society because, apart from dispensing fake and adulterated medicines, they lack the required cold store for pharmaceutical storage. With that alone, so many medicines on their shelf have lost efficacy because of the high temperature of where they stock products.”

Meanwhile, the Sabon patent medicine dealers on Monday matched to the Kano state government House to register their displeasure over the eviction and relocation order issued by the court.

The drug dealers seen in their long possession and placards with various inscriptions rejecting their forceful vacation, along state road pleaded on the state government for intervention.

Speaking at the government house, the Chairman of the association Alh. Musbahu Khalid lamented the act of exploitation being subjected to by the owners of the new centre at Dangwauro village. He however appealed to the state government to takeover of the CWC for proper management.

Receiving the aggrieved medicine dealers, Alh. Shehu Sagagi, Chief of Staff to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, appealed for calm and warned them not to take laws into their hands. He promised that the government would examine the development to amicably address the situation.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.