The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration, and Control (NAFDAC) has closed down approximately 100 shops at Ogbete Main Market in Enugu for allegedly selling suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages. 

During the operation, NAFDAC also seized a truckload of adulterated products and arrested four individuals believed to be involved in the illicit trade.

Following the raid, Martins Iluyomade, Director of NAFDAC's South-East Zone, announced on Monday that the detained suspects would face charges once investigations were complete. 

He emphasised that the crackdown was part of NAFDAC's mission to protect public health and eliminate substandard and fake products from circulation in the South-East.

"We conducted a thorough operation at the busy Ogbete Main Market in Enugu State starting from Friday, resulting in the closure of 100 shops identified for selling counterfeit alcoholic beverages," Iluyomade explained. 

"Arrests were made, and the suspects are currently in custody."

"These fake wines and alcoholic beverages pose a serious risk to unsuspecting consumers and the general public, but we are committed to cleansing the market of such harmful products," he added.

The operation was carried out in collaboration with the police, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army, all of whom contributed personnel to ensure the raid was well-coordinated and successful.

However, the agency has advised Nigerians to avoid storing cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days. 

Adeyeye, who gave the warning in statement on Tuesday, in commemoration of the 2024 World Food Safety Day tagged: ‘Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected’, explained that cooked food stored for too long can become contaminated with harmful pathogens, leading to foodborne diseases that can be fatal.

This warning is aimed at promoting food safety and preventing food-related illnesses.

NAFDAC noted that it was essential to handle and store food properly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. 

Cooked food should be refrigerated promptly and consumed within a safe timeframe to avoid food-borne diseases.