The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has raised concerns over threats to her life and those of her staff following the agency’s largest-ever crackdown on counterfeit drugs. Speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Prof. Adeyeye revealed that the recent enforcement operation across major drug markets in Onitsha, Aba, and Lagos led to the seizure of illicit and fake drugs worth N1 trillion.
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Recounting the dangers faced by NAFDAC officials, she said, “Six months ago, there was an attempted murder. One of our staff members in Kano had his child kidnapped because he was doing his job. Thankfully, the child escaped. As for me, I have two policemen stationed at my homes in Abuja and Lagos 24/7. This is not how I wish to live, but saving our country is a priority.”
The seized products, including banned, expired, and unregistered medicines, will be publicly destroyed at the locations where they were confiscated. Prof. Adeyeye called on the National Assembly to fast-track amendments to the NAFDAC Act and the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs Act, urging for life imprisonment and death penalties for offenders. “Many lives have been lost due to fake drugs. With the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), assets recovered from suspects will be treated as criminal proceeds after conviction,” she stated.
Among the seized drugs was Tafradol, recently banned in India after a BBC exposé revealed its illegal shipment to Africa. The drug, though unapproved globally, has seen widespread abuse in Nigeria.
During the operation, over 7,000 shops were screened, with many hiding contraband in unsuspected locations like plumbing sections and wood plank stores. So far, 40 suspects have been arrested, and a comprehensive database of offending shops has been compiled for prosecution.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized, “This isn’t just enforcement—it’s about safeguarding public health and preventing further loss of lives.”
