The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized counterfeit packaging materials valued at more than ₦200 million from five shops at Old Court Road Market in Aba, Abia State, raising concerns about the supply of fake alcoholic beverages and other consumer products in Nigeria.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, followed intelligence about the production and supply of counterfeit packaging materials bearing the names of popular brands.
In a report published today, October 15, 2026, TheCable said the agency recovered fake labels, corks, packs and outer packaging materials bearing the names of Jameson, Glenfiddich, Four Cousins, Lord’s Dry Gin, Imperial Blue, Goya Oil, Chelsea, Squadron and Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps.
NAFDAC said the materials could be used to package counterfeit products in ways that make them difficult for consumers to distinguish from genuine goods.
The seizure highlights a risk to manufacturers whose brand identities may be exploited by counterfeiters, as well as consumers who could unknowingly purchase fake or substandard products.
According to the agency, its Investigation and Enforcement operatives encountered threats and resistance from traders during the raid, making it difficult to remove the recovered materials from the market.
NAFDAC said loaders initially engaged to evacuate the items withdrew after members of the crowd threatened them. Traders also reportedly pursued a vehicle chartered to transport the seized materials.
The owners of the five shops were absent during the operation. The agency subsequently placed the premises on hold to prevent interference with the materials remaining inside and issued invitation letters to the shop owners through the market union chairman.
The chairman pledged to help identify and present the owners and ensure the security of the affected premises, according to NAFDAC.
The agency did not announce any arrests in connection with the Aba operation in the reports reviewed.
The seizure comes amid a series of enforcement actions against counterfeit alcoholic beverages and related products.
On October 13, 2026, NAFDAC operatives raided facilities at the International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, uncovering more than 20 illegal stores allegedly used to counterfeit alcoholic beverages, revalidate expired or unsafe drinks for resale and stockpile banned imported products.
In a report published on October 14, 2026, Channels Television said NAFDAC valued the products seized and evacuated from the Lagos operation at more than ₦2 billion. Two suspects were arrested.
Unlike the Lagos operation, which involved suspected counterfeit and unsafe beverages, the Aba raid focused on packaging materials that could be used to disguise fake products as genuine brands.
The distinction is significant because counterfeit labels, bottle closures and outer packaging can undermine efforts to identify illicit products before they reach retailers and consumers.
NAFDAC has urged market associations, traders and members of the public to report suspected counterfeiting and other unlawful activities to help prevent unsafe products from entering the market.
The agency’s investigations into the Aba operation will be important in establishing who owned the seized materials, how they were intended to be used and whether counterfeit products linked to the shops had already entered circulation.
