NAFDAC destroyed N1.5tn fake products in three years – DG

Nigeria’s drug regulator says it has destroyed or seized more than N1.54tn worth of fake and substandard products since 2023, including more than N1.5tn in a coordinated operation across Lagos and the South-East.

NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye announced the figures in Lagos on Monday after public concern over counterfeit and dangerous goods. She described counterfeiters as “merchants of death” and promised zero tolerance.

The agency said simultaneous raids at Idumota Market in Lagos, Onitsha Market and Ariaria International Market in Aba led to the seizure and destruction of more than 137 truckloads of products. The operation took place between February and March 2025.

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merchants of death

NAFDAC also detailed other enforcement actions. In February 2026, it destroyed more than N15bn worth of fake, expired, counterfeit and banned medicines in Ibadan, including codeine syrups, Tramadol, Oxytocin and expired vaccines. In March 2026, it destroyed N1.8bn worth of counterfeit medicines, banned small sachet alcohol, narcotics, antibiotics, antimalarials, counterfeit milk, skin-lightening creams, fake insecticides and medical devices in Kuje, Abuja.

The agency said pharmaceutical destructions listed in the report totaled N27.8bn. It also reported N12bn worth of counterfeit beverages and food destroyed in Aba during operations in 2023 and 2024. NAFDAC said the street-market value of products destroyed nationwide exceeded N120bn in 2024 and that it had secured 64 counterfeiting convictions.

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Between February and March 2025, across Idumota, Onitsha and Ariaria Market, Aba, NAFDAC coordinated and simultaneously executed major raids which led to seizure and destruction of over 137 40-foot truckloads of counterfeit and substandard products valued at more than N1.5tn were evacuated and destroyed.