The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed unwholesome and substandard products worth approximately N15 billion at a dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State. The destruction exercise, carried out on Wednesday, was intended to prevent these dangerous items from re‑entering the Nigerian market and endangering public health.
According to NAFDAC Director‑General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the seized goods included counterfeit, expired, controlled, unregistered and banned medicines and medical products. Among the destroyed items were Analgin, co‑codamol, codeine‑containing cough syrups, tramadol, oxytocin and various expired vaccines—each posing significant health risks if consumed or circulated. The estimated street value of the destroyed products exceeded N15 billion, underscoring the scale of illegal pharmaceutical operations in the country.
In a recent seizure, NAFDAC intercepted a container falsely labelled as diclofenac but filled with anti‑malaria drugs, containing over 100,000 tablets smuggled into Nigeria. The suspect linked to the shipment has been arrested and will face prosecution to deter other illegal drug importers and distributors.
During a raid on a military barracks in Lagos, the agency also uncovered and confiscated a wide range of illegally manufactured cosmetics and packaging materials. NAFDAC has called on community leaders, health professionals, religious figures and journalists to educate the public about the dangers of patronising unlicensed drug sellers and unregistered pharmaceutical outlets.
The destruction of these products represents a significant step in protecting public health and strengthening the nation’s regulatory system. NAFDAC urges Nigerians to participate in the fight against substandard products by reporting suspicious drug activities, emphasizing that public vigilance and collaboration are essential to keep fake, dangerous and illegal health products off the streets and out of homes.
The agency expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Customs Service for handing over seized containers of prohibited items, including tramadol, artesunate injections and frozen poultry. It also acknowledged strong support from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, DSS, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria and other stakeholders. This operation marks another victory in the battle against violative and harmful substances and reinforces the need for continued efforts to safeguard public health and safety.
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