NAFDAC Seizes Over 100 Truckloads of Counterfeit and Banned Drugs in Major Markets
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated and evacuated more than 100 truckloads of substandard, falsified, and banned medicines, including narcotics, from key markets in Lagos, Anambra, and Abia states.
In a statement released on Sunday, NAFDAC’s Resident Consultant, Sayo Akintola, revealed that the large-scale enforcement operation took place over six weeks. The agency completed its exercise in Idumota (Lagos) and Aba (Abia) on February 28, 2025, while operations in Onitsha (Anambra) continued until March 8.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, warned of the grave consequences of the seized drugs, stating that their circulation could significantly harm Nigerians. “What we have found could ruin a nation, destabilize a government, and reduce the quality of life for millions,” she said. She highlighted the danger of counterfeit medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which could lead to avoidable deaths.
Adeyeye also expressed concern over the impact of the seized narcotics on Nigerian youth, warning that they could fuel crime, banditry, and terrorism.
During a briefing in Lagos on Friday, she disclosed that the enforcement operation led to the confiscation of unregistered, expired, and banned medicines worth over a trillion naira. Specifically, 27 truckloads from Idumota had already been destroyed, while approximately 80 truckloads were seized from markets in Aba and Onitsha.
In Aba, NAFDAC evacuated 14 truckloads of illegal medicines from the Osisioma warehouse, four from Ariara Road, and ten from various markets. Onitsha’s infamous drug trade hub, consisting of 110 lines of drug stores, was also targeted. Authorities discovered dangerously stored medicines in poorly ventilated warehouses, where extreme heat above 40°C degraded them before reaching consumers.
Prof. Adeyeye recounted violent resistance from illicit drug dealers, describing them as “merchants of death.” She revealed that NAFDAC staff and police officers faced mob attacks, with some narrowly escaping death. “Seven months ago, two of our staff members were nearly killed in Onitsha during an intelligence operation,” she added.
The agency removed 10 truckloads of tramadol from the Onitsha market’s plumbing, wood plank, and fashion sections. Additionally, four truckloads of codeine-laced syrup banned nearly seven years ago were confiscated.
Despite the dangers, Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting public health and fostering a safer pharmaceutical trade environment. “We are doing this first for public health, second to support legitimate trade, and third to combat the devastating drug crisis in our country,” she said.
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