The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has sealed four warehouses and seized banned chemicals worth N560 million in Kano metropolis.
The agency also arrested two persons over the alleged illegal storage, distribution and sale of banned chemicals in the state.
Mr Emmanuel Andrew, Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC, said this during the exercise on Thursday in Kano.
He said that the exercise was aimed at enforcing the ban on Paraeforce, popularly known as Paraquat.
Andrew said that the agency had banned the importation, distribution and use of Paraeforce-based products in 2022, due to their toxic effects on human health and the environment.
He said that exposure to the chemical could cause respiratory and cardiac failure, as well as other serious health complications, including Parkinson’s disease.
According to Andrew, Paraeforce stays in the soil and affects the environment, particularly water, posing environmental and public health risks,” he said.
Andrew said that the agency began enforcing the ban in January 2024, adding that the quantity of prohibited products discovered during the operation was alarming.
He said that the inspection team visited over 10 warehouses and discovered suspected illegal products in the facilities.
“We sealed a warehouse at Panisau, where controlled chemicals suspected to be used in the production of illicit drugs were discovered.
“At Jaba, another house allegedly used for illegal manufacturing and repackaging of chemicals, was also sealed” he said.
Andrew said that the operators used cartons of chemicals from another company from Lagos and Niger Republic, adding that a sealing machine and other packaging materials were also recovered.
He said that the operation enforcement activities would continue until all illegal stocks were evacuated.
The director said that the team sealed a warehouse and arrested two persons, including the owner, following the discovery of 2,983 cartons of Paraeforce products valued over N200 million.
“In another warehouse, the team discovered over 8,000 cartons of Crownquat, another Paraquat-based product containing 2.76 grammes of Paraquat dichloride worth over N360 million, and another product banned by NAFDAC Chlopyrifos.
“The warehouses have been sealed . The agency will invite the owners for further investigation” he said
Andrew said that the agency also seized 183 cartons of unregistered Dynewell syrup imported from Ghana, and later discovered at an uncompleted building in Sharada area of Kano metropolis.
While urging Nigerians to avoid the use and distribution of banned chemicals, warning that exposure to Paraquat could be fatal because there was no antidote.
He assured that the agency would sustain enforcement operations to protect public health and the environment.
