Social media activist and content creator VeryDarkMan made headlines with a protest in Onitsha, Anambra State, targeting the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The post, which includes a series of video frames and subtitles, captures VeryDarkMan’s impassioned speech against what he claims is NAFDAC’s extortion of traders. The 701.54-second video, sampled at various intervals, highlights the grievances of local traders and calls for action against perceived injustices.
See post:
VeryDarkMan introduces his presence in Anambra City, stating, “Alright, so this is my first time in Anambra city. I’ve never been here before and a very important thing brought me here.” He accuses NAFDAC of extortion and stealing, demanding they stop their practices. He details NAFDAC’s shutdown of the market on February 8, 2025, claiming it was due to alleged fake products. He questions the fairness of locking shops for months, affecting thousands of traders.
Read also: Verydarkman Leads Protest at NAFDAC Office, Demands For Action
VeryDarkMan reveals that NAFDAC demanded payments of 500,000 to 700,000 naira to reopen shops, labeling this as extortion. He argues that such demands essentially encourage the production of fake drugs and criticizes the impact on Nigeria’s healthcare supply chain. VeryDarkMan shows receipts of payments made by traders, emphasizing the financial burden and injustice. He threatens legal action and protests if NAFDAC does not address the issue, urging traders not to pay the demanded sums.
VeryDarkMan calculates the potential revenue from the extortion, calling it a “fucked-up deal” and vowing to fight against it. He mentions President Obama and Tinubu, possibly to draw attention to the scale of the issue, and calls for authorities to intervene. VeryDarkMan warns of potential protests and demands the market’s reopening, giving NAFDAC a timeline to act. He expresses his reluctance to return to Anambra but feels compelled to stand with the traders. The video shows a crowd gathering, indicating growing support for the protest. VeryDarkMan continues to engage with the crowd, reinforcing his message and calling for unity.
Read also: VDM Vists NAFDAC Office To Report Prophet Jeremiah’s Products
The protest addresses NAFDAC’s crackdown on the Onitsha drug market, which began in February 2025. According to related web results, NAFDAC shut down the market due to concerns over counterfeit drugs, a significant issue in Nigeria. However, traders and advocates, including VeryDarkMan, argue that the response has been disproportionately harsh, leading to economic ruin for thousands.
VeryDarkMan’s protest amplifies these concerns, focusing on the alleged extortion through hefty fines to reopen shops. This narrative aligns with broader criticisms of NAFDAC’s approach to regulating markets, as seen in past protests against bans on sachet alcohol, where traders feared job losses and economic impact.
