The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has arrested six persons and sealed several shops in Sabon Gari Market in Kano, over illegal sale of skin bleaching creams.
Kano State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Kasim Ibrahim, disclosed this at a press briefing on Tuesday in Kano, stating that the operation followed public complaints received via social media, as well as a directive from the agency’s director-general.
“Following complaints received through various social media channels and a directive from the director-general, we carried out discreet surveillance and mystery shopping on the products in question,” Ibrahim said.
He explained that the agency’s investigation uncovered six suspects involved in the distribution and unregulated use of bleaching creams.
“The products were allegedly marketed as beauty spa treatments but contained harmful and unapproved substances,” he added.
“After thorough analysis and robust discussions, we identified approximately six individuals involved in these illegal activities,”
The raid which was conducted in collaboration with NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, resulted in the arrest of the suspects, sealing of affected shops, and collection of product samples for laboratory analysis.
Several companies faking registered cosmetics or violating NAFDAC’s regulatory provisions were also shut down pending further investigation.
Ibrahim urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the agency.
