NAFDAC Seals Gomboru Drug Market in Maiduguri Over Illicit Drug Practices

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed the Gomboru drug market in Maiduguri, Borno State, due to widespread illicit drug practices. Among the alarming activities uncovered were the washing and sun-drying of contaminated drugs, which were then being resold to the public.

These dangerous practices were discovered in the aftermath of a devastating flood that recently hit Maiduguri. The flood crisis, triggered by the rupture of the Alau Dam on the Ngadda River, approximately 20 kilometers south of the city, worsened conditions in the area and raised health concerns.

NAFDAC’s intervention highlights the significant public health risks posed by such activities, especially in a flood-affected region where contamination and disease transmission are more likely. The agency’s crackdown on the market aims to protect consumers from harmful, adulterated drugs that could lead to severe health complications or even death.

NAFDAC emphasized the need for greater vigilance in the drug supply chain and called for strict adherence to regulations that safeguard public health. The agency is expected to continue its investigations and enforcement actions to ensure that such illegal practices are permanently curbed in Maiduguri and beyond.

This move by NAFDAC has been praised by health advocates, who stress the importance of maintaining drug safety standards, particularly in regions dealing with environmental disasters like the Maiduguri floods. The closure of the Gomboru drug market serves as a stern warning to others involved in illegal drug activities.