The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its fight against fake and substandard medicines, sealing over 11,000 shops and arresting 40 individuals in a nationwide crackdown.
Speaking to reporters in Lagos on Saturday, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General, revealed that the enforcement operation had been in the works for over a year, executed through covert surveillance.
The operation, which kicked off on February 10, targeted three major drug markets—Idumota in Lagos, Ariaria in Aba, and Bridge Market in Onitsha—which collectively control over 80% of Nigeria’s drug distribution.
Massive Drug Seizures Across Markets
- Aba: Over 20 trucks of substandard drugs evacuated
- Onitsha: Not less than 30 truckloads of confiscated medicines seized
- Idumota (Lagos): 27 trucks of fake drugs removed
Thousands of Shops Shut Down
Since the enforcement began:
- 4,000 shops were sealed in Onitsha
- 3,027 shops shut down in Lagos
- 4,000 shops closed in Aba
NAFDAC is now moving to a second phase of operations, where individual shops will be screened to separate genuine traders from illegal operators who are not registered with the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN).
Heavy Security Presence Ensures Smooth Operation
Prof. Adeyeye thanked the National Security Agency (NSA) for deploying a combined force of over 1,000 security personnel across the three markets to protect NAFDAC operatives.
“Three years ago, some of our men were almost killed in Onitsha during a similar operation. But this time, with over 400 officers in Onitsha, 350 in Aba, and 250 in Lagos, we carried out enforcement without fear,” she stated.
NAFDAC Vows to Sustain the Fight Against Fake Drugs
The agency has promised to keep up the pressure on counterfeit drug dealers, ensuring that only safe, approved medications are sold to Nigerians.
With this bold move, NAFDAC is sending a strong message—fake and substandard drugs have no place in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market! 🚨💊
