The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has denied claims by the Lagos State Government linking its enforcement officers to a viral video showing individuals destroying sachet water packs in Lagos.
In a statement posted on its official X account on Sunday, NAFDAC stated that the individuals seen in the video were not affiliated with the agency, adding that their actions were neither professional nor in line with its Standard Operating Procedures. The agency noted, “Stopping vehicles to destroy products is unprofessional and does not align with any NAFDAC Standard Operating Procedure.”
NAFDAC’s refutal followed allegations by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who had linked the individuals in the video to NAFDAC. Mr Wahab claimed that the persons involved were enforcement officers targeting non-compliant sachet water to protect public health and safety.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, showed an unidentified man using a short iron rod to destroy bags of sachet water on a truck. It was shared by an X user, @Pep.Boxx, with the caption, “Bags of sachet water destroyed in Lagos State.” The post fueled public uproar about whether the Lagos State Government had introduced new regulations banning sachet water.
Responding to the video, Mr Wahab denied any involvement by the Lagos State Government, stating, “I wish to categorically state that these individuals are not enforcement officers from any Lagos State Government agency or the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.” He alleged that his investigation had revealed that the individuals were NAFDAC officials carrying out enforcement activities.
NAFDAC, however, refuted the claim, maintaining that the individuals were not part of its Investigation and Enforcement team. In its statement, the agency stated, “The videos circulating of individuals engaging in enforcement activities are NOT NAFDAC officials or part of our Investigation & Enforcement team.”
Wahab also dismissed claims of a sachet water ban in Lagos, emphasizing that the state government is committed to sustainable waste management through initiatives like the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme. He noted that sachet water remains a crucial product for many residents, and the government is working to address its environmental impact without having to ban it.
He further announced the establishment of a Plastic Waste Management Fund, developed in collaboration with Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) and major importers, to tackle Lagos State’s growing plastic waste challenges
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