The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed four warehouses and confiscated prohibited chemicals valued at approximately N560 million following an enforcement operation targeting the illegal distribution of dangerous substances Kano State.
The operation uncovered facilities manufacturing as well as repackaging prohibited items which include thousands of cartons of banned agricultural chemicals, including Paraquat-based products, alongside restricted substances allegedly stored for illegal distribution in the warehouses while two suspects were arrested.
It was gathered that the crackdown conducted yesterday covered several locations in Kano metropolis, including Panisau, Jaba and Sharada, with enforcement officers inspecting more than 10 warehouses and other facilities.
In a separate discovery, officers recovered 183 cartons of unregistered Dynewell syrup reportedly imported from Ghana, which products found in an unfinished building in Sharada, leading to further enforcement action
In addition, the agency also recovered chemical cartons bearing the names of companies operating in Lagos and the Niger Republic, as well as a sealing machine and other packaging equipment
NAFDAC’s Deputy Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Emmanuel Andrew, on Friday said the operation was part of efforts to stop the circulation of Chlorpyrifos, Paraquat, a highly toxic chemical commercially sold as Paraeforce, recovering 2,983 of it’s cartons worth more than N200 million and over 8,000 cartons of Crownquat valued at over N360 million
Andrew mentioned that NAFDAC prohibited the substance in 2022 because of its serious health and environmental consequences, and warned that exposure to Paraquat could result in severe respiratory complications, heart failure and other potentially fatal conditions and possible risk factor for Parkinson’s disease.
According to him, the chemical poses additional dangers because it can remain in the soil and contaminate water sources, creating long-term environmental and public health problems.
He added that the agency had sealed the affected properties and would invite their owners for questioning as investigations progressed.
The deputy director urged traders, distributors and members of the public to avoid buying, selling or handling prohibited chemicals.
He particularly warned that Paraquat poisoning could be fatal, noting that there is no known antidote.
NAFDAC said it would continue its nationwide enforcement operations to dismantle illegal distribution networks, prevent dangerous substances from reaching consumers and protect communities against further environmental contamination.