The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has shut down the Gomboru drug market in Maiduguri, where contaminated drugs were found being washed and sun-dried for resale.
NAFDAC, through a post on its X (formerly Twitter) account, stated that it ordered the closure to conduct a shop-to-shop removal of compromised drugs to ensure public safety following the flood.
The Maiduguri flood crisis, caused by the rupture of the Alau Dam on the Ngadda River, resulted in severe devastation, claiming lives and displacing thousands of people. This dam, located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Maiduguri, led to widespread flooding, which submerged large areas of the region.
The market shut down was taken to prevent the sale of contaminated drugs, which pose serious health risks to the public. The flood has not only led to massive displacement and loss of lives but also raised concerns about the safety and quality of essential goods in the affected areas.
READ ALSO : NAFDAC destroys substandard products worth N43 billion in Oyo State
The flood crisis in Maiduguri, has led to a devastating humanitarian situation in the city, with the death toll confirmed at 30, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, spokesman Ezekiel Manzo disclosed. The flooding has affected around 40% of the city, displacing an estimated 414,000 people, with fears that the number of displaced individuals could reach one million.
Zubaida Umar, a NEMA official, described the situation as “frightening,” with homes, infrastructure, and lives being swept away. More than 23,000 households, accounting for over 150,000 people, were directly affected by the rapid rise of floodwaters.
The chaos also extended to the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre, where at least 286 inmates reportedly escaped due to the flooding. Additionally, about 80% of animals at the local zoo have died as a result of the disaster, with 20% escaping into the surrounding city, creating further risks to public safety.
The flooding has caused widespread destruction, overwhelming local resources, and posing significant challenges for relief efforts in the region.
Credible News.ng
