NAFDAC busts illegal skin-bleaching ring in Kano, makes arrests

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has on Tuesday shut down a network of shops selling unapproved skin-bleaching creams at Sabon Gari, Kano.

Six people have been arrested in connection with the illegal sales, following weeks of surveillance triggered by public complaints on social media.

Speaking to reporters in Kano, NAFDAC’s Kano State Coordinator, Mr. Kasim Ibrahim, revealed that the crackdown came after the agency received disturbing messages and videos online showing how some vendors were openly promoting and selling toxic creams under the guise of beauty spa treatments.

“These products weren’t just being sold quietly — they were being marketed aggressively, even glamorised, despite containing banned and harmful substances,” Ibrahim explained.

According to him, many of the creams promised “instant results” but came at a hidden cost: irreversible skin damage, long-term health complications, and in some cases, exposure to carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances.

“This isn’t just about beauty — it’s about health, dignity, and the lives of our women and youth who are being misled and harmed,” he added with concern.

NAFDAC’s investigation involved undercover operations and mystery shopping to gather evidence discreetly. With the help of the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement team, shops were raided, samples taken for lab testing, and doors sealed — some permanently.

Among those arrested were individuals accused of distributing fake or unregistered cosmetic products. The shops will remain shut while further investigations continue.

“These people weren’t just breaking the law — they were endangering lives for profit,” Ibrahim said. “We won’t sit back and watch.”

He emphasized that under the leadership of Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC remains committed to protecting Nigerians from harmful products — not just food and drugs, but also cosmetics, which are often overlooked despite their wide usage.

Ibrahim appealed to Nigerians to remain alert and proactive.

He also thanked the media for helping to amplify awareness and urged continued public cooperation as the agency intensifies its crackdown on illegal cosmetics across the country.