Onitsha Drug Market Closure: Intersociety Demands Urgent Public Inquiry Into NAFDAC’s Actions

Intersociety Calls for Legislative and Judicial Investigation into Onitsha Drug Market Shutdown

A prominent civil rights organization, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has called for an urgent legislative public hearing and a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the controversial role played by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and security forces in the extended closure of the Onitsha Drug Market.

According to Intersociety, the prolonged market shutdown has significantly impacted traders, their families, and the public due to the high cost and scarcity of essential medicines. The group specifically pointed out the involvement of Nigerian Army personnel from Onitsha 302 Cantonment and police officers from the Anambra State Command and Zone 13 in alleged human rights violations and economic sabotage.

This demand was issued in a statement signed by Chinwe Umeche (Head of Democracy and Good Governance Program), Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam (Head of Campaign and Publicity), Obianuju Joy Igboeli (Head of Civil Liberties and Rule of Law), and Emeka Umeagbalasi (Board Chair of Intersociety).

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Five Key Issues Raised by Intersociety

Intersociety highlighted five major concerns that need urgent attention:

1. Hearing from genuine traders and documenting their losses due to looting.
2. Investigating forced entry into shops, confiscation of genuine pharmaceuticals, and theft of goods worth billions of Naira.
3. Exposing alleged misconduct of NAFDAC, soldiers, and police officers deployed to the market.
4. Preventing further crisis and mitigating risks of loss of lives and properties.
5. Developing a short-term political solution through an inclusive legislative public hearing to facilitate the reopening of the market.

The civil rights group expressed dissatisfaction with the efforts made by Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo and Speaker Somtochukwu Udeze, stating that their interventions were inadequate. It urged them to take more decisive actions to protect traders and their businesses.

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Short-Term and Long-Term Solutions for Onitsha Drug Market

To resolve the crisis, Intersociety proposed two key solutions:

Short-Term Measures

• NAFDAC must reopen the Onitsha Drug Market and publicly account for its operations.
• Authorities should withdraw arbitrary financial penalties imposed on traders.

Long-Term Solutions

• Constructing a WHO-compliant ultra-modern international drug market to regulate pharmaceutical trade effectively.
• Establishing fair trading regulations to ensure that genuine traders operate under a stable and lawful business environment.

Intersociety condemned NAFDAC’s imposition of a ₦500,000 ‘Poor Storage Fee’ on each sealed shop—including non-pharmaceutical businesses like boutiques and food vendors—describing it as regulatory extortion.

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Impact of the Market Closure on Traders and the Public

The ongoing closure, which entered its 47th day on March 26, 2025, has caused severe economic hardships:

• Over 12,000 traders and 5,000 apprentices/salesgirls have been unable to work.
• An estimated ₦800 billion worth of medicines in over 25 (40ft) containers has been lost.
• Several traders have suffered untimely deaths due to financial distress.
• The public is facing rising costs of essential medicines due to limited supply.

According to Intersociety, the market closure has transformed NAFDAC from a regulatory agency into an extortionist body that prioritizes revenue generation over public health.

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NAFDAC’s Controversial Charges on Importers and Retailers

Further accusations against NAFDAC include imposing excessive charges on drug importers and retailers:

• ₦5 million per brand for importers of unregistered multinational drugs.
• ₦1.25 million per brand for importers of loose-pack drugs.
• ₦200,000 per brand for retailers of unregistered multinational drugs.

Intersociety also reported that a boutique owner, Sophia Eberechukwu Okoye from Ezinifite-Aguata, Anambra State, lost over ₦15 million worth of goods due to looting. Video evidence allegedly links NAFDAC operatives to the ransacking of her store.

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Conclusion: Urgent Action Needed

The continued closure of Onitsha Drug Market has devastating consequences for traders, consumers, and the economy. Intersociety is demanding immediate intervention through a legislative public hearing and a judicial inquiry to:

• Investigate NAFDAC’s regulatory excesses.
• Address financial extortion allegations.
• Implement short-term relief measures for affected traders.
• Develop a long-term strategy to prevent future disruptions.

If left unaddressed, the crisis could escalate into a full-blown economic and humanitarian disaster. Read more on the economic impact of market closures

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