Officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have stormed a warehouse in the Apata area of Jos, Plateau State, where expiry dates on products were allegedly altered, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
The operation, conducted between Friday and Saturday, is part of NAFDAC’s continuous drive to protect consumers and ensure only safe, high-quality products are sold, particularly as the festive season approaches.
The Director of NAFDAC, North Central Zone, Kenneth Azikiwe, who led the operation, said, “We’re here today to address a concerning issue where some unscrupulous individuals are altering the dates on expired products to deceive consumers. They’re sold in small quantities to avoid suspicion. However, a consumer recently reported an issue, and our investigation led us to this facility.”
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Azikiwe explained that the products, including wines and hot drinks, were cleaned with chemicals to remove the original expiry and manufacturing dates, and then relabeled with new ones.
He said the two suspects, Yusuf Hassan and Emma Nwobi, were arrested for allegedly altering the dates on expired products, while more suspects were being sought.
“We have two suspects in custody: Yusuf, who applied the altered dates, and the facility owner, who provided the labels. We’ve encountered similar cases before. Our team regularly checks markets, distributors, supermarkets, and sales outlets to ensure product safety.
“During this festive period, our Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, has directed us to be extra vigilant. We’re working to ensure all products are safe and of good quality,” he added.
Azikiwe urged the public to be vigilant when purchasing products, especially regulated ones, and to check the manufacturing and expiry dates on the label, not on any sticker.
The State Coordinator of NAFDAC in Plateau State, Dr Obida Musa, condemned the act, saying, “It’s truly unfortunate to witness such reckless behaviour from these criminals. It’s appalling and should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.”
Musa advised the public to be cautious when buying products, especially regulated ones, and to report any suspicious products to NAFDAC.
One of the suspects, Yusuf Hassan, pleaded for leniency, saying he didn’t know the expiry date had been altered.
He claimed he was only a supplier and didn’t intentionally try to deceive anyone.
Hassan said, “I don’t usually sell Pure Heaven products, but customers kept asking for it. I told them I didn’t have it, and they kept pestering me. I mentioned this to Emma Nwobi, a supplier, and he said he had some in his store.
“He gave me the product, and I didn’t know the expiry date had been altered. The original date was 2020, but it was changed to 2027. I didn’t realise it had expired.
“I buy from Mr Emma Nwobi and sell to people around me. I don’t have a shop; I just supply products to various places. I’m pleading for leniency, as I’ve never done this before.”
Our correspondent reports that NAFDAC has intensified nationwide enforcement operations aimed at ridding the country of unregistered, expired, falsified, and banned products that pose serious health risks to Nigerians.
In recent clampdowns at three major open drug markets — Idumota in Lagos, Aba in Abia State, and Onitsha in Anambra State — the agency seized and evacuated counterfeit and substandard products valued at over ₦1 trillion.
