NAFDAC seals tomato paste warehouse, arrests suspect

On Thursday, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) sealed a facility of imported contraband tomato paste distribution warehouse in Rivers.
Adeniran Kazeem, the NAFDAC assistant chief regulatory officer, Apapa Lagos, made this known to journalists in Port Harcourt.
Mr Kazeem said this after the arrest of Mr Obiora John, the Managing Director of Integrated Wholesales Services Limited in Trans-Amadi Layout, who allegedly imported and distributed contraband tomato paste, which is in the federal government list of contraband importation products in the country.
Mr Kazeem also said Obiora John allegedly removed the seal placed on his facility by the agency in November 2022.
“Upon our interrogation, we noticed that the company removed the agency seal placed at the facility in November 2022 without the agency’s approval,” Mr Kazeem explained. “The company’s accountant told us that the company had stopped the importation and distribution of contraband tomato paste since 2020, but we found out that the imported tomato paste seen at the facility was manufactured in 2022.”
He added, “We also found out from the company’s records that there have been importation and distribution of the products to date.”
The NAFDAC official said the agency’s aim of raiding and sealing contraband drinks and food distribution companies in the country was to promote, encourage and create an enabling environment for local manufacturers.
He advised the public to stop patronising the distributors of imported contraband products in the stores and open the market, revealing that the suspect had been arrested.
Obiora John, the managing director of Integrated Wholesales Services Limited at Trans-Amadi industrial layout, said the company was operating a sketchy business to hold their clients till the company starts production at the newly built production factory.
Mr John said he removed the seal because he thought that he could remove the seal after payment to the agency.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

World
FBI declares man wanted for drug trafficking
The suspect is wanted for his alleged involvement in drug activities in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

States
Troops rescue six kidnap victims in Katsina
The victims were abducted by armed bandits from Unguwan Lado in Kankara Local Government Area on June 22, 2026.

States
Gunmen invade mining site, kill three people in Plateau village
Mr Tengwong said two people were also injured in the attack.

NationWide
Court fixes July 7 for hearing in PDP, INEC suit
Justice Ibrahim also ordered the parties to file and serve their processes as agreed by July 6.

Economy
Investors gain N653 billion as stock market rebounds
The gain was driven by renewed buying interest in large and mid-cap stocks.

Economy
NRC to suspend Kajola-Apapa train service
The temporary suspension will take effect from July 6, while the service will resume on July 27.






