posted 16th March 2025
Outrage as NAFDAC Officials Allegedly Loot Trader’s Shop in Onitsha
Onitsha, Nigeria – 15 March 2025
A prominent Nigerian lawyer, Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called for an urgent investigation after a viral video surfaced showing a female trader in Onitsha alleging that her shop was looted by officials from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The disturbing footage, which has sparked widespread condemnation, has reignited concerns over the agency’s conduct during its crackdown on counterfeit drugs in one of Africa’s largest drug markets.
In a strongly worded statement released today, Ejiofor described the incident as a “grave injustice” and demanded swift action from security agencies and NAFDAC. The trader, whose identity remains undisclosed, claims her shop in the Ogbo Ogwu market was ransacked by officials entrusted with regulatory enforcement. Ejiofor revealed that the woman is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital, having suffered severe shock from the ordeal. “This is not just an economic assault but a direct attack on her dignity and well-being,” he said.
The incident follows weeks of tension in Onitsha, where NAFDAC has intensified efforts to curb the sale of fake pharmaceuticals. While the agency has reported seizing large quantities of counterfeit drugs and even uncovering weapons, traders have accused officials of overreach, including indiscriminate shop closures and alleged looting. Ejiofor, who previously condemned such closures as unlawful, argued that the fight against fake drugs must not jeopardise the livelihoods of innocent citizens. “Our worst fears have now materialised,” he stated, pointing to the video as evidence of “outright looting” by those meant to uphold the law.
Ejiofor, a Knight of St. Christopher and legal counsel linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), urged authorities to launch a “transparent and comprehensive investigation” to hold those responsible accountable. He also called on NAFDAC to provide reparations to the affected trader, warning that failure to act would deepen public distrust in Nigeria’s institutions. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he emphasised, adding that such misconduct threatens the nation’s pursuit of peace and economic stability.
The video, which has circulated widely online, has fuelled outrage among traders and rights advocates, who argue that innocent businesses are being unfairly targeted. Neither NAFDAC nor local security agencies have yet responded to the allegations as of this evening. However, the incident is likely to intensify scrutiny of the agency’s operations, particularly in the wake of IPOB’s earlier claims of misconduct during midnight raids in the same market.
As calls for justice grow, Ejiofor’s statement underscores a broader plea: those who abuse their positions of trust must face the full weight of the law. “If we fail to act decisively, we risk enabling a culture of impunity,” he warned. For the devastated trader and others like her, the hope now rests on whether authorities will heed this urgent demand for accountability.
