NAFDAC Seals Over 11,000 Shops, Arrests 40 in Crackdown on Fake Drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its fight against counterfeit and substandard medicines, sealing over 11,000 shops and arresting 40 individuals across Nigeria. The large-scale operation, which has been in the works for over a year, aims to rid the country of falsified and unregistered drugs.

Nationwide Enforcement

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed that the crackdown began on February 10, targeting key drug distribution hubs, including the Idumota open drug market in Lagos, Ariaria drug market in Aba, and Bridge market in Onitsha. These locations reportedly supply over 80% of medications in circulation.

The agency has successfully evacuated large quantities of substandard medicines, including 20 trucks from Aba, 30 from Onitsha, and 27 from Idumota. Additionally, more than 4,000 shops have been sealed in Onitsha, 3,027 in Lagos, and another 4,000 in Aba.

Government Support and Security Measures

The operation has been backed by the National Security Agency (NSA), providing crucial protection for NAFDAC officers. According to Adeyeye, past attempts at similar raids had been met with violent resistance, but this time, over 1,000 security personnel were deployed—400 in Onitsha, 350 in Aba, and 250 in Lagos—to ensure safety.

Next Steps in the Crackdown

With major evacuations completed in Aba, NAFDAC will now conduct shop-to-shop inspections to distinguish between genuine pharmaceutical dealers and unregistered operators. The agency remains committed to its mission of eliminating counterfeit drugs from the Nigerian market, emphasizing that violators will face the full extent of the law.

This operation is a significant step towards ensuring public health and safety, as the circulation of fake drugs poses a severe risk to millions of Nigerians.