KANO, Nigeria — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismantled a network of shops in Sabon Gari, Kano, allegedly involved in the illegal sale of unapproved and harmful skin-bleaching products.
The raid, carried out on Tuesday, led to the arrest of six suspects following weeks of surveillance triggered by alarming complaints and viral videos circulating on social media. The materials reportedly showed vendors openly marketing toxic creams under the guise of beauty spa treatments.
Speaking to journalists, Mr. Kasim Ibrahim, NAFDAC’s Coordinator for Kano State, disclosed that the products were being aggressively promoted and glamorized, despite containing dangerous and banned substances.
“These creams were not only unregistered and illegal but posed severe health risks. Many claimed to offer ‘instant results’ while silently causing irreversible skin damage, long-term complications, and exposure to cancer-causing agents,” Ibrahim warned.
NAFDAC operatives conducted undercover operations and mystery shopping to discreetly gather evidence before launching the coordinated crackdown. The shops were subsequently raided, sealed—some permanently—and samples were collected for laboratory testing.
The suspects are accused of distributing fake and unregistered cosmetic products. The affected shops will remain closed as investigations continue.
“This is not just a legal violation — it’s a threat to public health and human dignity,” Ibrahim stated. “We cannot and will not allow the lives of Nigerians, especially women and youths, to be endangered in the name of beauty.”
He commended the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, for her commitment to consumer protection across all product categories, including cosmetics, which are often overlooked.
Ibrahim also extended gratitude to the media for raising public awareness and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant. He called for continued public cooperation as NAFDAC intensifies its nationwide crackdown on unsafe cosmetic products.
“We are determined to protect Nigerians from harmful substances — whether in food, drugs, or cosmetics. The fight is far from over,” he concluded.
Comments