NAFDAC raids Lagos warehouses, intercepts N3bn worth of fake, banned drugs
NAFDAC Uncovers Major Counterfeit Drug Operation in Lagos
LAGOS — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismantled a significant counterfeit drug syndicate in Lagos State, seizing over 10 million doses of fake and prohibited medications. This operation is considered one of the largest of its kind in recent years.
During a press briefing in Lagos, Mr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products, detailed the operation. It was triggered by actionable intelligence gathered during a security meeting on February 3, which highlighted suspicious activities within the Trade Fair–Navy area.
“Our officers moved into the area and discovered several warehouse facilities disguised as residential buildings, used exclusively for storage,” Iluyomade stated. He noted that the secluded nature of the location likely allowed the operators to evade detection for an extended period.
A search of the warehouses revealed a large quantity of counterfeit and banned pharmaceutical products, including injectable anti-malarials, antibiotics, sachet medications, and blister-pack drugs, as well as Analgin—a painkiller that has been banned in Nigeria for over 15 years.
Iluyomade expressed alarm at the findings. “What we uncovered should concern every Nigerian. These are not merely harmless supplements; many are critical, life-saving medicines. The administration of counterfeit drugs in emergencies such as severe malaria can be fatal,” he said.
He further noted the sophistication of the counterfeit products, which made them exceedingly difficult to distinguish from genuine items. “In many instances, even original manufacturers struggle to differentiate their products from counterfeits,” he added.
NAFDAC estimates the street value of the seized drugs exceeds N3 billion, with eight truckloads of assorted fake medications and cosmetics removed from the warehouses.
“This operation marks a significant victory for public health and consumer protection in Nigeria,” Iluyomade remarked. “These products have been intercepted and will not reach the marketplace.”
Preliminary investigations suggest the involvement of an international criminal syndicate. Iluyomade explained that these groups replicate original products abroad with notable accuracy and then reintroduce them into Nigeria’s supply chain. “This is organized crime, comprising both local and foreign collaborators,” he stated.
He emphasized the serious threat counterfeit medicines pose to Nigeria’s healthcare system, cautioning that profit-driven criminals prioritize financial gain over human life. “Nigeria is under attack by individuals willing to sacrifice lives for profit, even if it endangers the health of its citizens,” he said.
Additionally, some manufacturers have reported that counterfeit versions of their products have been circulating in the market for months. Iluyomade noted that criminals often release such drugs in small batches to evade detection.
He urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing medications, specifically advising against unusually low-priced drugs. “If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Cutting corners with medicines can cost lives,” he cautioned.
