The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it has confiscated banned, expired, and unregistered products worth over N1.5billion during a major enforcement operation at the Lagos Trade Fair market.
The agency made this known in an official statement published on its X (formerly Twitter) account.
“NAFDAC has seized banned, expired, and unregistered products valued at over N1.5billion during a major enforcement operation at the cosmetics section of the Lagos Trade Fair market,” the statement read.
According to NAFDAC, the operation which was led by its Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, uncovered several warehouses stocked with cosmetics, food items, and other NAFDAC regulated products lacking registration or date markings.
“Over a trailer load of such products was evacuated, while another trailer of cosmetics was intercepted,” the agency said.
NAFDAC said the driver fled, but the trailer was secured by its personnel.
According to the agency, “This operation forms part of NAFDAC’s intensified nationwide crackdown on unsafe consumer goods.
“The Agency urges the public to remain vigilant, avoid unregulated products, and report suspicious items.
“This is one of the largest seizures in recent months, reinforcing NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting public health.”
Recall that just weeks earlier, NAFDAC intercepted 16 containers of fake and substandard drugs including codeine syrup, tramadol tablets, falsified diclofenac, and unregistered erectile dysfunction medications, valued at approximately N20.5 billion, at Onne Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The seizure also included unwholesome tomato paste.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, warned that substandard and fake products would no longer be tolerated, despite death threats and attempts to intimidate officials.
Between February 9 and March 27, 2025, NAFDAC raided Idumota (Lagos), Onitsha (Anambra), and Aba (Abia) open drug markets, evacuating over 77 truck- loads (and reportedly shutting over 11,000 shops) of fake, expired, diverted donation drugs, controlled substances, and substandard medicines.
The operation uncovered warehouses packed with banned drugs like Tramadol, Analgin, and expired antiretrovirals, some allegedly re date stamped to appear valid through 2028.
At this site-long enforcement exercise, 87 truckloads of counterfeit pharmaceuticals were seized, and over 40 people arrested. Prof Adeyeye called for legal reforms to include life sentences and the death penalty for trafficking offenders as part of the agency’s mission to protect public health.
On January 29, 2025, NAFDAC closed 240 shops at the notorious Cemetery Market in Aba, seizing over N5 billion worth of counterfeit beverages, expired dairy products, and soft drinks including fake versions of Seaman Schnapps, Fanta, Coca Cola, and Cadbury drinks, all made under unsafe and unhygienic conditions.
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