The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, expired, banned, and unwholesome medicines and consumables valued at more than ₦15 billion.
Gatekeepers News reports that the destruction exercise took place on Thursday at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State, and was witnessed by representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Association of Community Pharmacists.
Reading the speech of NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, said the move underscored NAFDAC’s renewed commitment to protect Nigerians from harmful products.
Items destroyed included Analgin, Cocodamol, codeine cough syrups, tramadol, oxytocin, falsified vaccines, and other counterfeit or unregistered medicines, with a combined street value estimated at ₦15 billion.
Adeyeye disclosed that recent enforcement operations intercepted a consignment disguised as diclofenac, later discovered to be anti-malaria drugs worth millions of naira. She also revealed the discovery of illegal factories producing cosmetic products inside a military barracks in Lagos, alongside other seizures across the country.
She commended the Nigeria Customs Service for handing over 25 containers of seized pharmaceutical products — including tramadol, artesunate injections, and codeine-based syrups — as well as prohibited frozen chicken, all of which were destroyed.
“We are resolutely committed to ensuring that food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and beverages consumed in Nigeria are safe, wholesome, and effective,” Adeyeye said.
“This destruction exercise ensures these dangerous products do not find their way back into circulation.”
The Oyo State Director of NAFDAC, Mr. Samuel Adeyemi, reaffirmed the agency’s zero tolerance for counterfeit products and urged Nigerians to remain watchful.
“If you see something, say something,” he stressed.
Adeyeye also appealed to community leaders, health practitioners, religious leaders, and the media to raise awareness on the dangers of patronising quacks and unauthorised medicine vendors.
“Together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians,” she added.
