The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has closed the Gomboru drug market in Maiduguri, Borno State, in response to the contamination of drugs following devastating floods.
The agency announced the immediate closure on its X account, emphasizing the need to conduct a thorough removal of compromised products after the market was submerged in floodwaters.
The flooding crisis in Maiduguri was triggered by the rupture of the Alau dam on the Ngadda River, located 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the city. This catastrophic event has resulted in at least 30 fatalities and displaced approximately 400,000 residents.
The spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Ezekiel Manzo, reported the rising death toll and the widespread destruction caused by the flooding.
“The situation in Maiduguri is quite frightening,” said NEMA colleague Zubaida Umar, highlighting that around 40% of the city is underwater. He noted that officials fear the number of displaced individuals could reach one million, as over 23,000 households have been affected by the rapid rise in water levels.
The impact of the flood extends beyond human casualties; reports indicate that at least 286 inmates escaped from the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre due to the flooding. Additionally, the local zoo has suffered severely, with about 80% of its animals perishing and 20% reportedly escaping into the city.
As recovery efforts continue, NAFDAC’s decisive action aims to protect public health by removing contaminated drugs from circulation, ensuring that residents are not exposed to unsafe pharmaceuticals during this critical time.
