By Faith Obams, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE NATIONAL Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced uncovering an illegal cosmetics manufacturing hub operating inside a Mammy Market within a military barracks in Lagos.
Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, told journalists last Thursday that the discovery followed a credible tip-off and was carried out in collaboration with the military.
He explained that large volumes of counterfeited cosmetics were being processed at the location, whose name has been withheld pending ongoing investigations.
According to Iluyomade, equipment, raw materials, mixed chemicals, and imported packaging materials designed to mislead consumers were seized from the site.
He disclosed that five other illegal production centres were also identified during the operation, while more than five truckloads of fake products valued at over N500 million were evacuated.
One of the suspects was apprehended at the scene, and investigations are underway to identify others connected to the illicit activity.
“These counterfeiters operate inside the Mammy Market within the barracks where this raid was carried out and had been hiding under the cover of security without being noticed to perpetrate this act.
We must give credit to the military for partnering with NAFDAC during this operation that led to the discovery of five other factories where products are being counterfeited,” Iluyomade said.
He noted that the counterfeiters had advanced their operations, producing fake products locally with imported packaging materials, which made it increasingly difficult for consumers to distinguish genuine products from counterfeits. He added that NAFDAC teams remain at the site to evacuate more items.
Iluyomade reaffirmed the commitment of NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to protect public health. He called on Nigerians to be vigilant and to report suspicious activities to the agency.
“NAFDAC D-G is intensifying efforts with support from the Presidency to go after individuals who are undermining the health and well-being of Nigerians through the importation and production of fake and substandard products.
“NAFDAC’s mantra of safeguarding the health of the nation is still a high priority, and we will continue to make sure that these criminals have no hiding place in the country,” he said.
