The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized a container load of Urea Formaldehyde Resin, purported to be sodium sulphate, allegedly imported by a firm, without approval.
The company was said to have through its syndicate taken the container to warehouse outside Lagos. Urea-formaldehyde resin is any of a class of synthetic resins obtained by chemical combination of urea (a solid crystal obtained from ammonia) and formaldehyde (a highly reactive gas obtained from methane).
NAFDAC said the syndicate specialised in smuggling containers of controlled substances out of the ports.
Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, NAFDAC Acting Director-General Mrs Yetunde Oni said the warehouse was later found to be in Omu–Ijebu, in Ogun State.
“Our officers have successfully evacuated the violative product to NAFDAC warehouse. The Managing Director of Six Six Manufacturing Global Services Limited, Zhao Shou Chum and his clearing agent, Christian Ohia of Actus Fidel Nigeria Limited were arrested, interrogated and their statements taken. They have given investigators useful information and are assisting NAFDAC to unravel their supply chain,” she said.
Oni said the use of Urea could have grave security implication for the nation, hence the strict control of its importation.
She said: “But for the timely intervention of NAFDAC, the consignment smuggled out of the port may have found its way to unscrupulous individuals for use in nefarious activities. I want to re-assure the general public of the resolve of the agency to sustain the fight against counterfeiters and smugglers of NAFDAC regulated products and also wish to appeal to members of the public to report any suspicious activity relating to NAFDAC regulated products around their environment to the nearest NAFDAC office.”
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