The Igbo Heroes Foundation, which has the late President-Basic of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu CFR, as its founding chairman, has strongly condemned the latest closure of the Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market by the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC). In an announcement issued by the Foundation’s Nationwide Coordinator, Prince Chinedu Nsofor (Kpakpando Ndigbo), the group reaffirmed its dedication to uphold the values of Igbo heroes previous by boldly defending Igbos from undue oppression and intimidation.
The Foundation described the closure as a deliberate {economic} assault disguised as regulatory enforcement. “What NAFDAC has executed just isn’t enforcement however {economic} warfare towards harmless merchants within the South East. They’ve acted extra wickedly than the criminals they declare to be pursuing,” Nsofor declared. “As a substitute of singling out the dangerous eggs, they’ve chosen to punish the whole market, destroying livelihoods and dignity.”
In an much more alarming revelation, Nsofor disclosed that NAFDAC is demanding ₦700,000 from every dealer to reopen their store—amounting to a staggering ₦3.5 billion, calculated by multiplying ₦700,000 by the estimated 5,000 retailers out there. To this point, 1,000 merchants have already paid, leading to ₦700 million being extorted below this guise. “This isn’t regulation. That is broad daylight extortion. If expired medicine had been actually the problem, the company ought to give attention to authorized prosecution. Why demand billions from merchants? Are they suggesting expired medicine are okay for the suitable worth?” he requested.
Nsofor additional said, “It’s tragic that many merchants have already paid, suggesting NAFDAC could also be compromising public well being requirements in alternate for cash. This isn’t simply corruption—it’s a betrayal of public belief.” The Foundation due to this fact calls on President Bola Tinubu to urgently cleanse his administration of what it describes as deep-rooted corruption that’s progressively engulfing the material of governance.
Decrying the double requirements typically utilized by federal authorities, Nsofor mentioned, “Why weren’t Fulani cattle markets shut down when killer herdsmen ravaged communities? Why is an entire drug market being destroyed due to a number of dangerous actors? This injustice is tailor-made particularly for Igbos—it could not occur within the North or the West.”
He additionally praised fashionable activist Very Darkish Man (VDM) for his brave stance in defending the Onitsha merchants regardless of being neither Igbo nor from Anambra State. “VDM has proven extra braveness and humanity than a few of our so-called leaders. He’s a beacon of fact in a time of silent oppression,” Nsofor mentioned.
The Foundation declared its unwavering help for the affected merchants, vowing to discover all authorized and advocacy avenues to make sure justice is served. “We won’t relaxation till each affected dealer will get justice. Authorized groups will probably be raised. Advocacy will probably be mobilized. Corruption will probably be uncovered in any respect ranges,” Nsofor affirmed. “No Igbo son or daughter will probably be sacrificed on the altar of federal injustice and impunity.”
The Foundation is now calling on Governor Charles Soludo to rise to the event and defend the individuals of Anambra State. Nsofor additionally appealed to all well-meaning Igbo little children, each in Nigeria and the diaspora, to lend their voices and help to the trigger. “It is a time for unity. Assist safe authorized illustration for these merchants. Allow us to not permit NAFDAC or any federal company to make a mockery of justice and due course of in Alaigbo,” he concluded.
The Igbo Heroes Foundation, grounded within the legacy of late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is mobilizing for a authorized and civic battle. The time to behave is now.
