The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Ogun State Police Command have stepped up collaboration to enforce regulations governing alcoholic beverages and safeguard public health across the state.
The partnership was disclosed by the command’s Police Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a statement posted on the command’s X handle on Friday.
The latest move followed a meeting between the NAFDAC State Coordinator for Ogun Office 1, Akinwale Fagoroye, and the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
Fagoroye said NAFDAC had already begun enforcement operations in Abeokuta and would take the exercise to other parts of Ogun State.
“The enforcement exercise, which commenced in Abeokuta, is being extended to other parts of Ogun State and will continue until full compliance is achieved,” Fagoroye said.
A major focus of the operation is the withdrawal from circulation of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles containing less than 200ml, or 20cl.
Fagoroye said the restriction was part of efforts to limit access to cheap and easily portable alcoholic drinks, particularly among children and young people.
He appealed to manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers to obey the regulations and allow NAFDAC officials to carry out their duties without obstruction.
According to him, enforcement personnel are visiting markets, motor parks, bars, retail outlets, warehouses, factories and other locations where regulated products are manufactured, stored or sold.
The agency is also authorised to clamp down on counterfeit, unregistered, adulterated, substandard, expired or improperly labelled products, as well as facilities operating without the necessary approvals.
Ojajuni welcomed the collaboration and pledged the police command’s support for NAFDAC during lawful enforcement operations.
“The Police and NAFDAC will continue to work together, within their respective mandates, to ensure compliance with the law and protect residents from activities and products that may pose risks to their health and safety,” Ojajuni said.
The commissioner said the police were equally enforcing the Liquor Act and other relevant laws regulating the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in Ogun.
He explained that the measures were intended to curb illegal alcohol trade and prevent practices that could threaten public safety, especially those that could expose young people to harmful behaviour.
Ojajuni consequently urged producers, distributors, retailers and consumers to comply with existing regulations and cooperate with authorised enforcement personnel.
He also called on residents to provide information to the authorities about suspected counterfeit or unsafe products and illegal activities linked to the sale of alcoholic drinks.
The command said it would continue to provide security support for legitimate regulatory operations and other initiatives designed to protect lives and promote public safety in Ogun State.
