A disturbing trend of men dying suddenly after using unregulated sex enhancement drugs has become a serious public health emergency in Kano, according to health experts. The deadly mixtures, often sold by street vendors with no medical background, are claiming lives and causing severe health complications.
A.I. Umar, a consultant production pharmacist and Deputy Director at the Drugs Manufacturing Unit, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, confirmed to BenriNews that the situation has escalated into a full-blown crisis.
"What we're witnessing is a reckless reliance on unregulated aphrodisiacs, especially those sold by street vendors with no medical background," Pharmacist Umar lamented. "These vendors mix synthetic, prescription-strength drugs like Viagra and Vega into so-called herbal remedies, creating highly toxic and unpredictable combinations."
The Deadly Mixtures Behind Closed Doors
These dangerous concoctions are discreetly marketed as natural, safe, and potent. They are sold in bus parks, market corners, and local kiosks, often hidden in cellophane wrappers or reused plastic bottles to avoid detection.
"These are not carefully formulated blends. They are crushed pills mixed with herbs and sometimes unknown substances. No dosage. No regulation. Just guesswork," Umar explained.
The consequences are severe – cases of chest pain, dangerously elevated heart rates, collapsed health, and in many instances, sudden death. BenriNews gathered that numerous men have died in hotels while with women, some collapsing during sexual activity after taking these enhancement drugs.
Cultural Pressure and Silence
In a society where masculinity is often measured by sexual prowess, performance anxiety is widespread. Yet, open conversations about sexual health remain taboo. Rather than seeking medical help, many men resort to the most accessible alternative – street vendors promising "guaranteed results."
"This isn't just a health problem," Umar emphasized. "It's a cultural one. We have to question why men are turning to untested drugs instead of trained professionals. What myths are we still upholding? What insecurities are we ignoring?"
Call for Urgent Action
Government regulators like NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria have previously cracked down on illegal drug hawking, but these efforts have been insufficient. The market continues to thrive.
Umar believes that real change requires more than law enforcement. "Religious leaders, educators, traditional rulers, and the media all have a role to play. We must break the silence. We must teach our youth that masculinity is not defined by performance, but by self-control, knowledge, and responsibility."
His message is clear: "No pleasure is worth your life."
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