Onitsha, Nigeria — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern warning to popular social commentator VeryDarkMan (VDM), accusing him of inciting traders in Onitsha following a series of enforcement raids on drug markets in the city.
The agency conducted sweeping operations last week targeting unauthorized pharmaceutical products and counterfeit drugs, particularly in the bustling Bridgehead Market — known for housing one of West Africa’s largest drug distribution centers.
According to NAFDAC, the enforcement action was aimed at curbing the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines, which pose serious public health risks. However, the operation drew swift backlash online after VDM posted videos condemning the raids and alleging that legitimate business owners were being unjustly targeted.
In an official statement on Sunday, NAFDAC flagged VDM’s comments as “provocative and inflammatory,” warning that such rhetoric could incite violence and disrupt public order.
“VDM’s utterances are reckless and capable of endangering the lives of enforcement officers and the general public,” the agency stated. “We urge members of the public to disregard misinformation and support the agency’s efforts to protect public health.”
Eyewitnesses in Onitsha reported heightened tensions over the weekend as some traders staged a protest, demanding an end to what they described as “harassment” by regulatory bodies.
Security operatives have since been deployed to key areas around the market to maintain calm, while NAFDAC insists that its operations were carried out in line with the law and with appropriate intelligence.
As public debate swirls around the ethics and execution of the raids, analysts warn that social media influencers like VDM — who commands a large following — must be cautious in their messaging.
Meanwhile, local union leaders have called for dialogue with NAFDAC, urging both sides to prioritize the safety and economic wellbeing of traders without compromising on the fight against fake drugs.
NAFDAC says it will continue its nationwide crackdown on counterfeit drugs, adding that any attempt to politicize or derail its mission will be resisted.
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