Food and Drink

NAFDAC Sachet Alcohol Ban Under Review, SGF Seeks Health Ministry’s Clarification

Published

7 days ago

December 1, 2025

admin

NAFDAC Sachet Alcohol Ban Under Review, SGF Seeks Health Ministry’s Clarification

Sachet Alcohol

The Federal Government is reassessing the proposed enforcement of the ban on sachet alcoholic beverages and 200ml PET bottle spirits scheduled for implementation by December 2025. This follows formal engagement initiated by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), requesting counsel from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

In an official correspondence dated 1st December, 2025 addressed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Permanent Secretary (General Services), M.S. Danjuma, writing on behalf of the SGF, referenced concerns raised by the House Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control. The committee’s letter, Ref. No. NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77, dated 13th November 2025, noted that resolutions earlier passed by the House of Representatives have not been implemented.

It will be recalled that on Thursday, 14th March 2024, the House of Representatives deliberated on the committee’s investigative findings regarding NAFDAC’s decision to ban the sale and distribution of sachet alcohol and small-volume PET bottle spirits. Based on the committee’s report, lawmakers advised that the ban be suspended, citing lingering concerns affecting key stakeholders and calling for further review and engagement.

However, in the latest development, the House asserts that despite the resolution, NAFDAC has continued to move towards enforcement without regard for parliamentary directives.

The recent communication, signed by Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, Deputy Chairman of the Committee, urged the Ministry to use its good offices to ensure the full implementation of the 2024 resolution, as contained in the resolution.

While awaiting the Ministry’s response, the SGF emphasized that the government seeks a clear and informed position before taking a final decision on whether to proceed with or suspend the planned December 2025 ban.

Crime

NDLEA Destroys Illicit Drug Warehouses In Ondo, Ekiti Forests

Published

15 hours ago

December 7, 2025

admin

NDLEA Destroys Illicit Drug Warehouses In Ondo, Ekiti Forests

NDLEA destroys illicit drug warehouses in Ondo, Ekiti forests. A total of 2,483 compressed blocks of skunk and 247 bags of the same substance, all weighing 5,442 kilogrammes, were recovered, and five suspects were arrested.

Operatives of a special operations unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency stormed forests in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti, destroying 14,654 kilograms of skunk and arresting two suspects.

The agency disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. It said the operatives in another operation on December 2 stormed the forests in Asin-Ekiti, Ikole LGA, Ekiti, where they destroyed 54,300kg of skunk in two large warehouses that were razed.

It said that 28.3kg of the same psychoactive substance was recovered for the purpose of prosecution.
NDLEA operatives raided the Igoba forest in Akure North LGA, Ondo, on December 2. A total of 2,483 compressed blocks of skunk and 247 bags of the same substance, all weighing 5,442 kilogrammes, were recovered, and five suspects were arrested.

According to the anti-narcotics agency, 500kg of the same substance was recovered from a Mercedes-Benz van marked MGU 614 XB by NDLEA officers on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba road in Niger, on December 4, with the driver arrested.

It disclosed that NDLEA operatives in the FCT Abuja on December 3 intercepted a consignment of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, weighing 22kg at Abaji expressway. A follow-up operation at the Jabi park in Abuja led to the arrest of a female receiver.
Also in the FCT, a suspect was arrested by operatives on Friday with 24kg of skunk and 573,500 pills of exol-5 along the Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives recovered 217 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 113kg from a suspect at Ladipo Market, Mushin.
A suspect was nabbed with 351kg of skunk at the Onipanu area of the state on December 5, adding that another suspect was arrested with 104.1kg of the same psychoactive substance at the Trade Fair complex, Ojo, on December 2.

NDLEA Destroys Largest Seizure

A total of 447.5 kilogrammes of skunk were recovered from two Honda Accord cars marked: ABC-678 KK and GGE-772 FB at Agho forest, Akoko Edo LGA, Edo.

A suspect was apprehended in connection with the seizure. A raid operation at a warehouse in the Isiefve community, Uhunwonde LGA, led to the seizure of 315.8kg of skunk and the arrest of a male suspect.

“With the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities, among others, in the past week,” said the statement.

These include WADA sensitisation lectures to students and staff of St. Michael’s Academy, Sabon Gari, Kano; Harry Pass Secondary School, Masaje, Gboko LGA, Benue; and Community Junior Secondary School, Okuru-Ama, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers, among others.