The National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians on the prevalence of fake alcoholic drinks, especially dry gin in the nation’s markets.
The NAFDAC Director of Special Duties, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Tuesday that the agency had continued to advise consumers of alcoholic beverages to be alert and be very wary of fake and unregistered drinks.
“Drinking alcohol is bad enough and people are always advised to take it in moderation. So, the danger associated with taking a fake drink can only be imagined,” he said.
Jimoh said the agency had taken its campaign against fake drinks to Plateau, Gombe, Benue, Bauchi and many other states in north and had engaged traditional and religious leaders to lead the efforts.
He particularly decried the rampant consumption of drinks like Ogogoro (dry gin) and “goskolo” by youths, and urged stakeholders to join in the fight “ since the youths are the group most affected.
“We have found that the youths rely on such drinks to gather enough courage to commit all manners of atrocities like armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, killing and the rest.
“We have, therefore, continued to intensify our campaigns and that has resulted into some states coming up with bylaws that banned some alcoholic beverages.
“We have also raided production and drinking points of some of these dangerous drinks, especially in Edo and Delta States, because the drinks have damaged many livers, kidneys and other vital organs of the body.
“They have also led to the gradual decline in the health status of many youths and totally destroyed their capacity to contribute to societal development,” he said.