NAFDAC Intercepts Smuggled Dangerous Chemicals

Yetunde Oni

Martins Ifijeh
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has intercepted and seized two 20feet containers of imported Urea Formaldehyde Resin from a syndicate specialised in smuggling the substance into Nigeria through the sea port.

Speaking during the parade of the syndicates, the Director General, NAFDAC, Dr. Yetunde Oni, said the substances which were smuggled to an unknown location outside Lagos State have been recovered, with its perpetrators arrested.

Urea Formaldehyde Resin, according to her, “is a highly regulated chemical that can be used as fertiliser, adhesives and gloss in woods, but if in the wrong hands, could be a grave security threat to Nigeria, hence the federal government strictly controls its importation and use.”

She said the Managing Director of Six Six Manufacturing Global Service Ltd, Mr. Zhao Shou Chum, involved in the smuggling, as well as his clearing agent, Mr. Christian Ohia of Actus Fidel Nigeria Ltd were giving useful statements which is currently assisting NAFDAC to unravel their supply chain.

“The discovery of the warehouse of the company located at Omu-Ijebu in Ogun State were made possible through the effective intelligence work of the combined efforts of NAFDAC officers at the Ports Inspection Directorate as well as Investigation & Enforcement Directorate.

“But for the timely intervention of NAFDAC, the consignment smuggled out of the port may have found its way to unscrupulous individuals for use in nefarious activities,” she added.

The DG reassured Nigerians that the agency’s resolve to sustain the fight against counterfeiters and smugglers of NAFDAC regulated products was unwavering, adding that, members of the public should report suspicious activities relating to the Agency’s regulated products around their environments to the nearest NAFDAC office.