The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed counterfeit, expired, banned, and unwholesome pharmaceutical products and consumables valued at over ₦15 billion.

The destruction exercise, held at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State, was witnessed by representatives of key security and regulatory agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Association of Community Pharmacists.

Reading the speech of the Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, said the exercise was part of NAFDAC’s renewed commitment to safeguard Nigerians from dangerous and substandard products.

Items destroyed included Analgin, Cocodamol, codeine cough syrups, tramadol, oxytocin, falsified vaccines, and other unregistered or counterfeit medicines, with a combined street value estimated at ₦15 billion.

Adeyeye disclosed that recent enforcement actions led to the interception of a consignment disguised as diclofenac, which was later found to be anti-malaria drugs worth millions of naira.

She also cited the discovery of illegal factories producing cosmetic products within a military barracks in Lagos, as well as other seizures across the country.

She commended the Nigeria Customs Service for handing over 25 containers of seized pharmaceutical products, including tramadol, artesunate injections, and codeine-based syrups, alongside prohibited frozen chicken, all of which were destroyed during the exercise.
“We are resolutely committed to ensuring that food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and beverages consumed in Nigeria are safe, wholesome, and effective,” Adeyeye said.
“This destruction exercise ensures these dangerous products do not find their way back into circulation.”

The Oyo State Director of NAFDAC, Mr. Samuel Adeyemi, reiterated the agency’s zero tolerance for substandard and counterfeit products, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant. “If you see something, say something,” he stressed.

Adeyeye appealed to community leaders, health practitioners, religious leaders, and the media to intensify public awareness on the dangers of patronising quacks and unauthorised medicine vendors.
“Together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians,” she said.