On Saturday, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) destroyed counterfeit pharmaceuticals and other illicit products valued at approximately N100 billion. The event took place at the Moniya dump sites in Ibadan, located within the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, oversaw the exercise but was represented by the Director of Narcotics, Yedunni Adenuga. During the destruction, Adenuga emphasized NAFDAC’s dedication to safeguarding public health by ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and drinks for human consumption.
The products destroyed included a wide array of dangerous substances such as Analgin, a banned painkiller, and controlled substances like Tramadol 225mg. These substances had been classified as illicit, expired, or banned, following a series of raids conducted across the country. Adenuga highlighted the scale of these operations and the shocking volume of unsafe products discovered.
“These products were confiscated during raids on three major markets in the country. The recent findings from these markets have been absolutely mind-boggling,” she said. “The presence of unregistered products, banned items like Analgin, and controlled substances such as Tramadol 225mg is troubling, especially considering the security risks they pose to our nation.”
She pointed out that these counterfeit and substandard drugs were not only a threat to public health but were also contributing to insecurity in Nigeria. Adenuga linked the sale of these products to criminal activities, underlining the importance of NAFDAC’s role in curbing their distribution.
The Director General also expressed gratitude for the support NAFDAC received from the National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, who authorized the deployment of over 1,000 security personnel. This force included members of the military, police, and the Department of State Services, all of whom played a crucial role in carrying out the operation.
“Without the support of the National Security Advisor, this operation would not have been possible,” Adenuga said. “His approval for the use of such a large number of security personnel helped ensure that the exercise was successful in removing these harmful products from circulation.”
The raid was part of a larger ongoing effort by NAFDAC to combat the widespread sale of illegal and counterfeit drugs. Adenuga confirmed that the destroyed products were mostly taken from the Idumota, Onitsha, Ariara, and Ezeuku open drug markets, areas notorious for the illegal trade of pharmaceuticals.
“These markets are notorious for harboring dangerous, unregistered, and banned substances,” she said. “This exercise is part of our broader commitment to keeping Nigerians safe from these harmful products, and it sends a strong message to those involved in this illicit trade.”
During the three-week operation, several suspects were apprehended, and investigations into their activities are still ongoing. Those found guilty of being involved in the illegal drug trade will face legal repercussions, as NAFDAC continues its crackdown on counterfeit products.
Shaba Mohammed, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, also addressed the issue. He emphasized that selling pharmaceuticals in open markets, as was the case with many of the destroyed items, is both illegal and punishable under Nigerian law.
“Selling drugs in open markets, or hawking them in vehicles, kiosks, or any informal settings, is a criminal act,” Mohammed said. “It is a punishable offence under the law, and we are determined to bring those responsible to justice.”
Peace OdekunleMarch 8, 20252 Mins read
