NAFDAC seizes N120b counterfeit products in three months

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated and destroyed counterfeit products worth over ₦120 billion in three months across the country.

This nationwide crackdown, spanning the six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory, is part of the agency’s intensified efforts to rid the markets of substandard and falsified medicines, as well as unwholesome food items.

NAFDAC Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said the seizures, which form part of a larger mop-up operation, targeted fake medicines, counterfeit alcoholic beverages, and unsafe food products.

She emphasised the agency’s determination to safeguard public health, particularly during the festive season when consumer purchases and consumption are at their peak.

In December alone, NAFDAC destroyed expired and unregistered drugs worth ₦11 billion in Ibadan. In Lagos, operations at the Tyre Village, Trade Fair Complex, led to the confiscation of fake medicines valued at ₦300 million. Further action against counterfeit alcohol in the state resulted in the seizure of items worth ₦2 billion, following reports of expired beverages being illegally revalidated.

The agency also recorded major successes in Nasarawa State, where counterfeit rice and other unwholesome food products valued at ₦5 billion were seized. Raids at Karu Market and a factory on Abacha Road uncovered expired and repackaged rice intended for sale.

A similar operation in Abuja’s Wuse and Garki markets led to the confiscation of over 1,600 bags of fake rice, with a total market value of ₦5 billion. In Aba, NAFDAC carried out a two-day operation uncovering large-scale production and distribution of counterfeit goods, including beverages, powdered milk, vegetable oils, and carbonated drinks.

Products valued at ₦5 billion were seized, and 150 shops at Eziukwu Market were sealed to prevent further circulation of the items. Adeyeye noted that the agency’s enforcement efforts have led to the removal of harmful products from markets in major cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kaduna, and Abuja. She reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting Nigerians from the dangers posed by these products, urging consumers to remain vigilant.

NAFDAC advised the public to buy only NAFDAC-registered food, drinks, and medicines from reputable outlets. “Products sold well below normal prices or displaying poor packaging, spelling errors or unusual designs should raise suspicion,” she said.

The Director General also encouraged healthcare professionals and consumers to report suspected substandard or falsified products to the agency. She warned merchants of fake goods to desist, vowing that NAFDAC would intensify its crackdown on individuals and organizations prioritising profit over public safety.

Adeyeye noted that the agency remains resolute in ensuring only quality, safe, and wholesome products are available to Nigerians, not only during the yuletide but throughout the coming year.