NAFDAC Shuts Down Shops, Arrests Six in Kano Over Illegal Sale of Bleaching Creams

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested six individuals and sealed several shops in Sabon Gari, Kano, over the illicit sale of harmful skin-bleaching creams.

Kano State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr. Kasim Ibrahim, disclosed this during a press briefing on Tuesday, revealing that the enforcement followed public outcry on social media and a directive from the agency’s Director-General.

“Based on numerous complaints received via social media platforms and in line with a directive from our Director-General, we launched a discreet surveillance operation and mystery shopping to trace the products,” Ibrahim said.

According to him, investigations revealed that the six suspects were engaged in the distribution of unregulated bleaching creams falsely marketed as beauty spa treatments, many of which contained dangerous and unapproved substances.

“Following extensive analysis and stakeholder engagement, we identified around six individuals involved in these illicit activities,” he added.

The raid, carried out in collaboration with NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, led to the arrest of the suspects, seizure of suspect products for laboratory testing, and the sealing of the implicated shops.

Ibrahim also noted that several other companies caught faking registered cosmetics or breaching regulatory guidelines were sealed and placed under further investigation.

He emphasized that NAFDAC’s intervention was part of its core mandate to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and sale of cosmetics and other regulated products to protect public health.

“In carrying out this mandate, we acted swiftly to prevent what could have been a major public health crisis,” Ibrahim said, warning that such illegal activities pose a serious threat to the safety of Nigerians.

He urged the public to stay alert and report suspicious activities to the agency, stressing NAFDAC’s dedication — under the leadership of Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye — to enforcing strict regulatory standards.

“If you see something, say something. That’s how we can work together to prevent public health emergencies,” he stated.

Ibrahim also extended appreciation to the media for their ongoing support and reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of all Nigerians.

— NAN

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