The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a nationwide enforcement operation to remove sachet alcoholic drinks and alcoholic beverages packaged in PET bottles below 200 millilitres from circulation across Nigeria.
The operation, launched on Wednesday across the country’s six geopolitical zones, marks the full implementation of the Federal Government’s ban on the affected alcoholic products.
According to NAFDAC, the enforcement exercise follows the closure of manufacturing facilities found to be producing the banned products despite earlier regulatory directives.
Enforcement teams have been deployed to markets, motor parks, supermarkets, bars, retail outlets and other distribution channels to identify, seize and destroy the prohibited alcoholic beverages.
The agency warned that anyone found producing, importing, distributing, transporting, stocking or selling the banned products would face seizure, regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution.
In a statement, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, directed manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and hawkers to immediately surrender any remaining stock of the prohibited products.
She stressed that the enforcement exercise is part of the government’s efforts to reduce underage drinking, substance abuse and the easy access to cheap alcohol among young Nigerians.
NAFDAC said the operation is not a one-time exercise but part of a sustained nationwide enforcement and public awareness campaign aimed at eliminating harmful alcoholic products from the market.
The agency explained that the ban is intended to protect children, adolescents and other vulnerable groups, while promoting responsible alcohol consumption among adults.
It clarified that the enforcement is not targeted at manufacturers complying with approved packaging regulations but is focused on removing products that violate the ban.
NAFDAC also urged Nigerians to support the exercise by reporting anyone involved in the production, storage or sale of the banned alcoholic beverages.
The agency advised members of the public to avoid buying or consuming the prohibited products and to report any violations to the nearest NAFDAC office.
