The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a nationwide enforcement exercise against alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles below 200 millilitres, marking the full implementation of the Federal Government’s ban on the products.

The agency said enforcement teams have been deployed across the six geopolitical zones to raid markets, motor parks, bars, supermarkets, retail outlets and other distribution channels to seize and destroy the prohibited products.

The exercise follows the closure of manufacturing facilities allegedly producing the banned alcoholic drinks in violation of regulatory directives.

In a statement on Wednesday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, directed manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and hawkers to immediately surrender any remaining stock of the banned products.

She warned that anyone found producing, importing, distributing, transporting, stocking or selling the affected alcoholic beverages would face seizure of the products, regulatory sanctions and possible prosecution.

According to the agency, the enforcement is aimed at curbing underage drinking, substance abuse and the easy accessibility of cheap alcohol, particularly among children, adolescents and other vulnerable groups.

NAFDAC said the operation is part of a sustained nationwide enforcement and public awareness campaign to eliminate harmful alcoholic products from the Nigerian market and encourage responsible alcohol consumption.

The agency clarified that the exercise is targeted only at alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below the approved 200ml threshold, stressing that compliant manufacturers are not affected.

NAFDAC also appealed to Nigerians to support the exercise by reporting individuals or businesses involved in the production, distribution or sale of the banned products and advised members of the public to avoid purchasing or consuming them.