The exercise was carried out on Friday in Benin during enforcement operations at Mission Road and New Benin Market.
Speaking during the operation, the leader of the squad, Mr Ugwu Declan Agu, Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement, South-South/South-East Zone, Asaba, said the agency acted on credible intelligence.
He said he was representing Dr Martins Iluyomade, FSI, Director, Investigation and Enforcement and Chairman, Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, NAFDAC Nigeria.
“We had credible intelligence that these alcohol products are in this place. So we came here, we saw it, and we are mopping it up,” Agu said.
He said the exercise was to sound a note of warning that the sale of such products was no longer tolerable.
Agu said the products had negatively affected youths and children who could easily buy and tuck them into their pockets.
According to him, limiting access to alcohol, especially for persons below 18 years, is in line with resolutions signed by NAFDAC and the World Health Assembly.
“We are trying to mop it up. Wherever we see it in any market, we will mop it up and take it away from circulation. That is what the law says,” he said.
He said similar banned products were also found and seized at New Benin Market.
On the deadline for compliance, Agu said the last day for sale of the products had elapsed.
“The last day was supposed to be 20th. For it to be here is a violation. They have been given different times to readjust,” he said.
He said that while the products were no longer displayed in markets in Lagos and other parts of the federation, intelligence showed that Edo State remained recalcitrant.
“We heard that Edo State is very recalcitrant. They don’t want to obey this rule, and that is why we are saying that enough is enough,” he added.
