By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE NATIONAL Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has provided critical clarifications regarding its recent nationwide crackdown on substandard, falsified, expired, and banned medicines.
The agency emphasized that beyond enforcement, the seizures were necessary to protect public health, maintain regulatory compliance, and prevent economic sabotage.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, explained on Friday that the large-scale operation in Idumota (Lagos), Onitsha (Anambra), and Aba (Abia) was not just about confiscating illicit medicines but also about ensuring the safety of Nigerians and safeguarding legitimate businesses.
The agency disclosed that these illegal pharmaceuticals, valued at over a trillion naira, could have led to severe public health crises and economic instability.
Prof. Adeyeye stressed that the seized drugs posed an imminent danger to millions of Nigerians, particularly those reliant on medication for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
She explained that if these drugs had entered circulation, they could have significantly reduced the quality of life and led to unnecessary fatalities.
“The problem goes beyond just seizing fake drugs,” she stated. “We must eliminate the root cause—illicit drug distribution networks that profit at the expense of Nigerian lives. The presence of these harmful medicines is a threat to public health, legitimate businesses, and national security.”
NAFDAC confirmed that the enforcement exercise concluded in Idumota and Aba on 28 February 2025, while Onitsha operations extended until 8 March.
More than 100 40-foot truckloads of illicit drugs were evacuated nationwide, with 27 truckloads already destroyed in Lagos. In Aba and Onitsha alone, nearly 80 truckloads of substandard and banned medicines, including narcotics, were confiscated.
At the Osisioma warehouse in Aba, 14 truckloads of illegal medicines were removed, with additional seizures from Ariaria Road and various market locations.
In Onitsha, intelligence revealed that drug-selling activities were widespread across 110 identified market lines.
Many of the seized drugs were stored under hazardous conditions, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, leading to potential degradation before use.
The NAFDAC Director-General also highlighted that a significant portion of the seized drugs included powerful narcotics, such as tramadol, which could have contributed to crime, banditry, and terrorism.
“In the plumbing section of Onitsha, we knew illicit activities had been taking place for years,” she revealed. “When we attempted enforcement, our staff and law enforcement officers were attacked by drug merchants protecting their illicit trade.”
She further recalled how NAFDAC personnel had previously been targeted and nearly killed while conducting intelligence operations in the market.
“This is the hazard we face every time we try to protect Nigerians,” she stated. “These criminals will do anything to keep their trade alive.”
Beyond health concerns, NAFDAC also underscored the economic ramifications of illicit drugs. Prof. Adeyeye explained that counterfeit pharmaceuticals undermine legitimate businesses by creating an unfair market where authentic, regulated products struggle to compete against cheaper, dangerous alternatives.
“NAFDAC’s enforcement is not just about seizing dangerous drugs—it’s about creating a fair and safe market for local pharmaceutical companies,” she said. “When substandard medicines flood the market, legitimate manufacturers suffer, and economic growth is hindered.”
The agency reaffirmed its dedication to intensifying efforts against illicit drug networks and ensuring that only safe, registered, and effective medicines remain available to the public.
