In a mission to tackle the proliferation of counterfeit goods, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has sealed popular groceries and cosmetics supermarket, PINNACLE, located in the bustling Dugbe area of Ibadan, PrimeNews reports.
The supermarket's closure has left customers shocked and disappointed, as the gates leading to the premises now bear an inscription redirecting shoppers to its branch in Challenge, citing technical issues as the reason behind the closure.
This decisive action by NAFDAC follows a series of investigations and surveillance carried out by the agency, culminating in a visit by their enforcement team on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024. The team promptly ordered the closure of the premises, resulting in the swift evacuation of shoppers within. According to an inside source who wished to remain anonymous, customers who had come to carry out their shopping were left disheartened as they were unable to proceed due to the sudden technical complications that arose.
A high-ranking official at NAFDAC's Ibadan zonal office, speaking with our reporter, revealed that the directive to shut down PINNACLE originated from the Lagos office and was dutifully enforced. The source went on to explain that NAFDAC had been closely monitoring the activities of PINNACLE for some time, and the CEO had been summoned for questioning since January. However, the CEO had repeatedly failed to honor the invitations, which ultimately led to the agency's decision to proceed with the total shutdown. "Despite the fact that fake products were traced to the mall, the woman displayed a blatant disregard for authority. She was invited to our Lagos office, but she did not comply. Nobody is above the law," the NAFDAC source emphasized.
This recent development highlights NAFDAC's ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of products available in the Nigerian market. The agency has been intensifying efforts to crackdown on the sale of counterfeit goods in order to protect consumers from potential health risks and financial losses. By sealing PINNACLE and sending a resounding message that perpetrators will face dire consequences, NAFDAC is determined to rid the country of counterfeit products and restore consumer confidence.