NAFDAC ALLEGED EXTORTION OF ₦3.5 BILLION FROM ONISHA TRADERS — IGBOS HEROES FOUNDATION REACTS
By Joseph Monday
The Igbo Heroes Foundation, which has the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu CFR, as its founding chairman, has strongly condemned the recent closure of the Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). In a statement issued by the Foundation’s National Coordinator, Prince Chinedu Nsofor (Kpakpando Ndigbo), the organization reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the values of Igbo heroes past by boldly defending Igbos from undue oppression and intimidation.
The Foundation described the closure as a deliberate economic attack disguised as regulatory enforcement. “What NAFDAC has done is not enforcement but economic warfare against innocent traders in the South East. They have acted more wickedly than the criminals they claim to be pursuing,” Nsofor declared. “Instead of singling out the bad eggs, they’ve chosen to punish the entire market, destroying livelihoods and dignity.”
In an even more alarming revelation, Nsofor disclosed that NAFDAC is demanding ₦700,000 from each trader to reopen their shop—amounting to a staggering ₦3.5 billion, calculated by multiplying ₦700,000 by the estimated 5,000 shops in the market. So far, 1,000 traders have already paid, resulting in ₦700 million being extorted under this guise. “This is not regulation. This is broad daylight extortion. If expired drugs were truly the issue, the agency should focus on legal prosecution. Why demand billions from traders? Are they suggesting expired drugs are okay for the right price?” he asked.
Nsofor further stated, “It is tragic that many traders have already paid, suggesting NAFDAC may be compromising public health standards in exchange for money. This is not just corruption—it’s a betrayal of public trust.” The Foundation therefore calls on President Bola Tinubu to urgently cleanse his administration of what it describes as deep-rooted corruption that is gradually engulfing the fabric of governance.
Decrying the double standards often applied by federal authorities, Nsofor said, “Why weren’t Fulani cattle markets shut down when killer herdsmen ravaged communities? Why is a whole drug market being destroyed because of a few bad actors? This injustice is tailored specifically for Igbos—it would not happen in the North or the West.”
He also praised popular activist Very Dark Man (VDM) for his courageous stance in defending the Onitsha traders despite being neither Igbo nor from Anambra State. “VDM has shown more courage and humanity than some of our so-called leaders. He is a beacon of truth in a time of silent oppression,” Nsofor said.
The Foundation declared its unwavering support for the affected traders, vowing to explore all legal and advocacy avenues to ensure justice is served. “We will not rest until every affected trader gets justice. Legal teams will be raised. Advocacy will be mobilized. Corruption will be exposed at all levels,” Nsofor affirmed. “No Igbo son or daughter will be sacrificed on the altar of federal injustice and impunity.”
The Foundation is now calling on Governor Charles Soludo to rise to the occasion and defend the people of Anambra State. Nsofor also appealed to all well-meaning Igbo sons and daughters, both in Nigeria and the diaspora, to lend their voices and support to the cause. “This is a time for unity. Help secure legal representation for these traders. Let us not allow NAFDAC or any federal agency to make a mockery of justice and due process in Alaigbo,” he concluded.
The Igbo Heroes Foundation, grounded in the legacy of late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is mobilizing for a legal and civic battle. The time to act is now.