By Faith Saleh, JKNewsMedia Intern
CALLS FOR stricter penalties on drug traffickers have intensified, with concerns growing over the devastating impact of fake and substandard medicines.
The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has reiterated her stance on the need for the death penalty for those whose actions result in the loss of lives, particularly children.
Speaking at a public engagement on Friday, Adeyeye condemned drug traffickers profiting from illicit sales at the expense of human lives.
She stressed that only severe penalties, including capital punishment, would effectively deter the distribution of lethal drugs.
Citing a recent case, she highlighted the inadequacy of existing laws, where an individual caught importing highly dangerous Tramadol received only a five-year sentence or a mere N250,000 fine.
“Who wouldn’t pay N250,000 and continue the business? That’s the problem—no strict measures to prevent reoffending,” she said.
Lawmakers have already pledged to collaborate with NAFDAC to strengthen penalties and close legal loopholes enabling drug traffickers to evade severe consequences.
Adeyeye also underscored the agency’s operational challenges, revealing that with only about 2,000 staff nationwide, enforcement remains significantly strained.
“We are understaffed, and our funding is limited. I hope things improve so we can intensify our fight against counterfeit drugs,” she added.
Meanwhile, in response to reports suggesting that Adeyeye had withdrawn her position on the death penalty for drug traffickers, NAFDAC’s spokesperson, Sayo Akintola, issued a clarification, reaffirming that Adeyeye’s stance remains unchanged, but ultimate legislative decisions rest with the National Assembly.
“The NAFDAC DG has only proposed a review of the current law, which offers a mere five-year sentence for selling fake drugs capable of killing innocent people. She believes this leniency incentivises criminal activity,” the spokesperson stated.
Also, the NAFDAC DG, Adeyeye, continues to engage with the Senate and House of Representatives committees on drugs and food, as she pushes for stringent policies to make counterfeit drug trade unprofitable and unsustainable.
