Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) seized 87 trailers of banned, expired and substandard medical products during a nationwide operation.
The products included antiretroviral drugs and condoms donated by USAID and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) which were repackaged for sale.
NAFDAC’s DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the seizure known at a press briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
She said counterfeiters had threatened her life and targeted agency staff.
According to her, one of the staff’s child was kidnapped in Kano but later escaped.
Adeyeye now has 24 hours police protection, “I don’t have a life. I can’t go anywhere without escorts, but we must save our country.”
The raids targeted Nigeria’s biggest open drug markets: Ariaria and Eziukwu in Aba, Bridge Head Market in Onitsha and Idumota Market in Lagos.
Investigators found donated HIV/Aids medications and contraceptives stored in toilets, rooftops and stairwells under extreme heat.
Products that required refrigeration like oxytocin injections were left under 40 degrees Celsius risking chemical degradation into toxic substances.
Prof. Adeyeye said even genuine products were compromised because of poor storage.
“Thermolabile items meant for – 8°C to 8°C were left in conditions that denature them,” she said.
Among the seized products were banned narcotics like Tafradol which was recently banned in India after a BBC expose linked its manufacturer to illegal export to Africa. Tramadol, Rohypnol and diazepam were also found in quantities that can destabilize national security.
The operation which started on 9th February 2025 involved 1,100 military, police and intelligence personnel.
Markets were cordoned off to prevent evidence tampering and 40 people were arrested and prosecuted.
Over 7,000 shops were screened and non-compliant vendors’ details were logged for further action. The seized products worth N1tn (£650m) is NAFDAC’s biggest haul ever.
Prof. Adeyeye described the operation as part of NAFDAC’s National Action Plan 2.0 (2023–2027) to eradicate counterfeit medicines and regulatory compliance. Markets will relocate to six Coordinated Wholesale Centres within a year and shops selling genuine products are reopening after owners pledge to move to these hubs.
Stiffer Penalties
The Director-General called for stiffer penalties for counterfeiters including the death penalty, saying fake drugs can kill.
She linked the illegal trade to organised crime, saying profits fund terrorism and violence.
Her appeal comes as global concern grows over substandard medicines which the World Health Organization estimates causes 500,000 deaths in sub-Saharan Africa every year.
NAFDAC’s efforts is in line with international framework like the WHO’s Global Surveillance System for substandard products. But Adeyeye said progress will depend on sustained political will and security support.
“These criminals will stop at nothing,” she said. “Protecting our teams is key to saving Nigeria’s health.”