The Nigerian Army has pledged to intensify collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to eliminate fake and unwholesome drugs, foods, and cosmetics across the South-East region.
The General Officer Commander (GOC) of the 82 Division, Maj-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving a NAFDAC delegation at the Division headquarters in Enugu.
The NAFDAC Director of South-East operations, Dr Martins Iluyomade, led the delegation.
Olatoye, while assuring the agency of the army’s continued support in enforcement operations, commended NAFDAC for playing a key role in securing lives through its regulatory mandate.
“As directed by Army Headquarters, we will continue to give you maximum security and even partner to do more. We also urge you to share confidential security information with us to help curb other forms of criminality,” he said.
The GOC expressed concern over suspected illegal trade practices in Mammy Markets within military barracks, calling for NAFDAC’s intervention to sanitise the markets.
“We are requesting enforcement within our barracks and are ready to support you whenever you are set,” he added.
In response, Iluyomade expressed gratitude for the Army’s support during recent enforcement activities in major drug markets across the South-East, which led to the seizure and destruction of fake products worth over ₦1tn.
He welcomed the proposed collaboration on mammy markets, noting that NAFDAC would first conduct sensitisation workshops for traders and military personnel on identifying fake and unwholesome products.
