Nigerian activist and influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) has stormed Onitsha Medicine Market to hear directly from the dealers who alleged that some of their shops has not been opened.
Angel Network News (ANN) recall that on February 8, 2025, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control
(NAFDAC) shut down the entire market, over five thousand shops, claiming that some of them were selling fake drugs.
“I am currently live at the largest medication market in Ogbogwu, Onitsha (Anambra State), to expose the exploitation, stealing, oppression, and abuse of power by NAFDAC against traders of pharmaceutical and medical products.
“After three months, NAFDAC returned and declared that each shop must pay ₦500,000 to reopen. They later increased this fee to ₦700,000 per shop. So far, over 1,000 shop owners have reportedly paid to have their businesses reopened, while many others cannot afford the fee.
“This is blatant injustice, extortion, and a gross abuse of power and office. If NAFDAC discovered fake drugs, they should prosecute the offenders—not punish the entire market.
This is not the Nigeria we want.
“I am calling on the Federal Government and the Government of Anambra State to intervene and put a stop to this exploitation.” VDM said.
