Youths in Igbudu Market, Warri, Delta State, reportedly attacked officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday, disrupting an inspection exercise.
The officials had visited the market to inspect shops suspected of selling fake drugs and other counterfeit products. However, some youths allegedly resisted their presence and prevented them from carrying out the exercise.
Reports indicated that the youths insisted that security agencies and law enforcement officers could not enter their community to make arrests without their permission.
The confrontation reportedly escalated into violence, creating tension within the market. However, it remained unclear whether any of the NAFDAC officials sustained injuries during the incident.
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Reacting to the development, the Senior Special Assistant on Human Rights to the Delta State Governor, Kelvin Ejumudo, called for the arrest of the market chairman and union chairman.
He urged relevant security agencies to take immediate action against those allegedly responsible for disrupting the agency’s operations.
Ejumudo questioned why anyone would prevent NAFDAC officials from inspecting the market when fake products and their potential health consequences remained concerns.
He also warned that the Delta State Government would not tolerate actions capable of obstructing efforts to remove counterfeit drugs and consumables from circulation.
The governor’s aide further vowed that NAFDAC officials would return to the market to continue their inspection, despite the resistance they reportedly encountered.
He stressed that everyone had a responsibility to support the fight against fake drugs and protect public health.
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