BENIN CITY, EDO STATE — The Edo State Government has issued a fresh directive ordering sellers, distributors, dealers and manufacturers of sachet gin to immediately withdraw the products from circulation, giving operators a seven-day grace period before enforcement teams begin a full-scale crackdown across the state.
The directive was contained in a public notice signed by the Chairman of the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee, Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture, who said the action was in line with the regulatory position of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on sachet and small-volume alcoholic beverages.
NAFDAC’s enforcement campaign has targeted alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and small containers below 200ml, with the agency citing concerns over accessibility, alcohol abuse and the protection of public health, particularly among young people.
The latest directive means dealers operating in Edo State now have a limited window to remove affected products from their shelves before enforcement operations commence.
According to the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee, all sellers, dealers, distributors and manufacturers of sachet gin are expected to immediately withdraw the affected products from their businesses and dispose of them within seven days of the notice.
The Committee warned that failure to comply would attract enforcement measures, including seizure of the products and possible prosecution under applicable laws.
The warning sends a strong signal to operators in the alcoholic beverage trade that the government is prepared to move beyond public announcements and physically enforce the directive across the state.
The Committee further disclosed that task force teams would commence operations after the expiration of the seven-day grace period.
The enforcement exercise is expected to cover markets, shops, motor parks and other points where alcoholic beverages are sold across Edo State’s 18 local government areas.
The government is therefore putting traders, distributors and other operators on notice that the grace period should not be interpreted as an opportunity to continue stocking or distributing prohibited products.
The development comes amid an intensifying national regulatory battle over sachet alcohol in Nigeria.
NAFDAC has been pushing enforcement against sachet alcoholic beverages and alcoholic drinks packaged in small-volume containers, while the policy has also generated controversy among manufacturers and industry stakeholders who have raised concerns over its economic consequences.
NAFDAC has maintained that restricting access to small-volume alcoholic products is part of its public-health responsibilities. Recent enforcement actions have included the sealing of facilities accused of producing alcoholic beverages in prohibited sachet and small-container formats.
In Edo State, the government is now moving to translate the regulatory position into direct enforcement at the grassroots.
The Consumer Protection Committee said the objective is to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of Edo residents.
The directive is also being presented as part of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, with the committee stressing that the government would continue to take measures considered necessary to safeguard residents.
For traders, however, the directive represents an immediate business challenge, particularly for retailers whose businesses depend heavily on the sale of low-cost alcoholic beverages.
The government has nevertheless made its position clear: affected sachet gin products must leave the market before the enforcement deadline expires.
Officials are expected to monitor compliance across major commercial centres, neighbourhood shops, markets, motor parks and other locations where the products are commonly sold.
The coming days could therefore witness increased inspections and seizures as enforcement teams move against traders who disregard the order.
The Edo State Consumer Protection Committee has urged members of the public and business operators to cooperate with the directive, warning that enforcement will follow once the seven-day grace period ends.
The Committee said the measure is intended to contribute to a healthier and safer Edo State.
With the countdown now underway, dealers in sachet gin and other affected small-volume alcoholic products across Edo State are being urged to take the directive seriously and comply before enforcement officers commence operations.
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