The Bayelsa State Government has expressed concern over the increasing presence of fake drugs, drinks, and cosmetics in local markets, warning that these products pose serious health risks to residents.
According to Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the situation constitutes a “serious emergency” that demands immediate attention from both the government and the public.
Koku-Obiyai highlighted the potential health implications of consuming or using substandard products.
She spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Yenagoa.
According to her, several government agencies are already working to tackle the menace.
Especially the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, Environmental Sanitation Authority, and the Consumer Protection Unit of the Ministry of Trade and Investment.
She disclosed that some offenders had been arrested and prosecuted, while confiscated goods were being destroyed to safeguard public health.
“Environmental Sanitation Authority is already in court with some of the people who are selling these fake drugs, fake drinks and other fake items and those fake goods were confiscated.
“The Ministry of Environment, they went out for their normal checks, when they got to Swali market, they saw soft drinks, body cream, hair relaxer that are all fake and expired.
“For us as a government, we want the people of Bayelsa to remain healthy. Anything we can prevent, we start to prevent it and we believe that joining hands with all of the agencies that are in charge of these.
“We will be able to stop the influx of those kind of things. The ones we have seen, we have confiscated, they are even being arrested,” she said.
Drawing from her experience as a trained nurse, Koku-Obiyai linked the rise in chronic health conditions to the consumption and use of substandard products.
She said, “I have my worries because I am a Nurse. If you were to visit the Federal Medical Centre or any of these health facilities, you will see the number of kidney and liver diseases.
“Some of these harmful chemicals that are injected or added to fake drugs, soft drinks, or wine have direct effects on the liver, kidney, and even the lungs.
“The creams we use, once applied on the skin, are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. We need to alert our people and enlighten them on the need to be sure of what they are buying,” she said.
Koku-Obiyai urged residents to be extra vigilant while shopping, stressing the importance of checking expiry dates, NAFDAC registration numbers, product colors, and textures before purchase.
“If an item is far cheaper than its normal price, that should raise a red flag. The same applies to the water we drink—some bottled or sachet water is produced under unsafe conditions,” she warned.
The commissioner emphasised that the government remained committed to reducing the spread of fake products, assuring that enforcement agencies would sustain their clampdown on offenders.
She also encouraged residents to report suspicious items, assuring them that their identities would be protected.
“There are deaths that are quit preventable and I believe that is one of those situation.
“We have addressed the press on that, alerting the people in case you see anything like that, approach the Ministry of Trade.
“They have the duty for consumer protection and we have assured the people that there will be confidentiality.
“We need to be careful, we need to educate our children, we need to enlighten the people.
“We need to let them know that such situations are red alerts, especially when a product is sold far cheaper than the normal price,” she noted. (
Fake drugs and drinks may contain harmful chemicals that can cause liver and kidney damage.
Some fake products can lead to respiratory issues, further exacerbating lung conditions.
Fake cosmetics can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and other dermatological issues.
NAN
