- NAFDAC seized 87 truckloads of dangerous drugs including expired antiretroviral drugs, vaccines, and narcotics
- The confiscated drugs were estimated to worth N1 trillion, with the final figure still to be determined
- Director-General Adeyeye faced threats to her life as part of the agency's battle against the counterfeit drug trade
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the seizure of 87 truckloads of banned, expired, and substandard medicinal products, including antiretroviral drugs donated by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as part of a nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trade.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed the shocking discovery on Wednesday, February 26, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. She explained that the operation uncovered disturbing violations of drug storage and distribution regulations across the country’s three major open drug markets in Aba, Onitsha, and Lagos.
The confiscated goods included large quantities of donated antiretroviral drugs and condoms that had expired and been repackaged for resale.
NAFDAC launches operation to eliminate counterfeit medicines
The operation, which was part of NAFDAC’s ongoing National Action Plan 2.0 (2023-2027), aimed to eliminate counterfeit medicines, enhance regulatory compliance, and safeguard public health.“These life-saving medications were either improperly stored or deliberately resold for profit, undermining global efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Nigeria,” Adeyeye stated.
Some of the seized products had been stored in environments that could degrade their effectiveness, she added, noting that certain medicines required cold storage but were instead kept in areas with extremely high temperatures, such as toilets, rooftops, and staircases.
In her briefing, Adeyeye emphasised the severe consequences of improper storage. “Some of the products, including vaccines, prescription medicines, and Oxytocin injection, were found stored under high temperatures, which could denature any genuine pharmaceuticals,” she explained.
These items were meant to be stored at specific temperatures, such as -8°C or between -2°C to 8°C, but instead, they were exposed to temperatures that exceeded 40°C in some areas.
87 truckloads of banned, expired, substandard medical products seized
The operation also uncovered a substantial quantity of narcotics, including TAFRADOL, Tramadol, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Nitrazepam, and Diazepam, some of which were linked to recent illicit drug activities in Nigeria.
"The volume of narcotics and controlled substances seized from each of these locations is enough to destabilise the country's security," Adeyeye remarked.
The scale of the operation was massive, with over 1,100 security operatives, including military personnel, police officers, and agents from the Department of State Services, deployed to raid over 7,000 shops in the three major markets.
Adeyeye confirmed that 40 arrests had been made, and further prosecution was underway. “So far, we have removed 87 truckloads of banned, expired, unregistered, suspected falsified, and substandard medical products from circulation,” she said.
The operation, which began on February 9, 2025, is expected to continue until next week in Onitsha, where shops will be screened, and violative businesses will be held accountable.
Adeyeye also revealed plans for the relocation of markets within the next year to Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs), with six such centres set to be established across the country.
Adeyeye reveals threats to life from counterfeit drug trade
Despite the progress, Adeyeye acknowledged the risks involved in her line of work. She revealed that her life, as well as that of her staff, had been threatened by those involved in the counterfeit drug trade.
“I told you about the attempted murder about six months ago. One of our staff members in Kano had his child kidnapped because he was doing his job. Fortunately, the child escaped,” she said, adding that she now lives under constant police protection.
“I have two policemen living in my house 24/7 in Abuja and Lagos. I don’t have a life. I can’t go anywhere without police escorts."
In light of these ongoing threats, Adeyeye called for stronger security protection for NAFDAC staff and advocated for the death penalty for individuals involved in the production and distribution of fake drugs. "We must save our country," she said.
With an estimated value of N1 trillion, the seized drugs represent one of the largest busts in NAFDAC's history. However, Adeyeye hinted that the final figure could be even higher as the operation progresses.
“It is N1 trillion. It may be an underestimation for now, but when we finish the operation, we will have a good idea,” she stated.
NAFDAC warns against antibiotic misuse in humans, animals
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that NAFDAC emphasised the dangers of antibiotic misuse in humans and animals, linking it to the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The Agency warned that AMR threatens medical progress, complicates infection treatment, and endangers routine surgeries and newborn health.