NAFDAC raids markets in Lagos, Onitsha, Aba, seizes trillions worth of fake, banned drugs

More than 100 truckloads of substandard, fake, expired, and banned medicines worth over a trillion naira have been removed from drug markets in Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba within six weeks.

In Lagos, officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) raided Idumota Market, seizing and destroying 27 truckloads of such medicines. Another 80 truckloads were confiscated from Ariaria Road Warehouse and open drug markets in Aba, Abia State, as well as markets in Onitsha, Anambra State.

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed that the operation concluded 10 days ago, warning of the grave consequences of the illicit drug trade.

“What we found could ruin a nation. What we found could destabilize a government. What we found could reduce the quality of life of millions of Nigerians,” Adeyeye, a professor emeritus of Pharmaceutics and Drug Product Evaluation, stated.

She further emphasized that the narcotics seized could fuel crime and terrorism, putting millions of lives at risk, particularly those suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension who require consistent medication.

“The narcotics we found could fuel banditry and terrorism. They also take away life,” she said. “If you have diabetes or hypertension, which need daily treatment, such people could die easily with what we have found.”

Adeyeye recounted how NAFDAC officials have faced violent resistance while carrying out enforcement operations.

She cited an incident in Onitsha seven months ago where officials were nearly killed while conducting intelligence-led operations.

“Our staff members and the police went on intelligence again, and two of them were almost killed,” she said.

She also disclosed that the illicit drug trade in Onitsha extends beyond the main market to areas like the plumbing, wood/plank, and fashion sections, where hidden warehouses store large quantities of fake medicines.

“In the plumbing section, we knew through intelligence three or four years ago that something was going on there,” she said. “About seven months ago at the Onitsha market, NAFDAC staff members went on intelligence again, and they almost killed two of them. They bloodied them. They narrowly escaped death. This is the hazard we go through every time in NAFDAC.”

Despite these threats, the agency successfully evacuated 14 truckloads of Tramadol and banned codeine syrup from these hidden warehouses.

Calling for public support, Adeyeye stressed that the raids are necessary to safeguard public health and promote legitimate business.

“NAFDAC is doing this first for public health, secondly to foster trade, and thirdly to reduce the scourge on our country,” she said.

She also pointed out that counterfeit drugs severely impact local manufacturers.

“If it’s a counterfeited product from a local manufacturer, that manufacturer cannot get their return on investment because somebody is already counterfeiting their product and selling it cheaper,” Adeyeye explained.