Trouble has hit traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) shut several shops over alleged sales of unregistered cosmetic products.
The enforcement operation was carried out by NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Cosmetics Division, during a two-day exercise on August 26 and 27.
The agency announced the action on Saturday, August 29, saying its officers targeted businesses suspected of stocking or trading in specified unregistered cosmetics.Several shops and business premises were sealed during the operation, with NAFDAC placing its official “HOLD” labels on the affected premises pending further regulatory action.
The agency also took samples of the suspected products for laboratory examination and further investigation.
According to NAFDAC, the operators of the affected businesses were issued invitation letters and are expected to appear before the agency for questioning and other regulatory proceedings.
Among the premises sealed were Vincentmo World, opposite Bmeck Plaza, Private Plaza; Amazon City of Fragrance at Shops 37 and 38, Beauty Promise Land Plaza; and Aza-King Store Perfumes, opposite Fidelity Bank.
Others included PP2 & Fragrance Int’l Ltd., also known as Design Perfumes & Cosmetics; No. D12 Fragrance Doctor Shop at Abia Plaza; and God & Obaino Fragrance Store, opposite Wave Plaza.
NAFDAC said additional shops and business premises within the sprawling commercial complex were also affected by the operation.
The Trade Fair Complex, situated along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Ojo, is one of Lagos’ major trading centres, attracting merchants dealing in cosmetics, perfumes, household goods and other imported products.
The latest crackdown is part of NAFDAC’s wider enforcement campaign against the circulation of unregistered products, particularly cosmetics that have not met Nigeria’s required registration and safety standards.
