Photo: NAFDAC Official during a raid on fake goods
By Didimoko A Didimoko
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the destruction, by incineration, of unregistered, counterfeit, and smuggled products worth ₦10,991,458,374.60.
The destruction was carried out in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital and involved goods collected from Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ogun states, all in the Southwest, as well as from Kwara State (North Central Zone).
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by South West Zone Director Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, said the exercise was carried out under controlled supervision and environment to prevent diversion by unscrupulous personnel.
“The disposal took place at an approved dumpsite provided by the Oyo State government to minimize environmental pollution,” she added.
Key stakeholders, including Dr Akin Fagbemi, Chairman of the Oyo State Hospital Management Board, officials from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), witnessed the exercise.
NAFDAC highlighted that the destruction is a critical function of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, responsible for removing unwholesome, substandard, fake, and counterfeit regulated products to safeguard citizens’ health.
The effort is supported by sister agencies, including the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Police (NP), Department of State Services (DSS), NSCDC, and NDLEA.
The destroyed items included expired products voluntarily forfeited, unregistered and unwholesome products raided from outlets and warehouses, fake and counterfeit items, and unregistered imported products smuggled into the country.
NAFDAC urged Nigerians to collaborate in keeping the country free from substandard, fake, and counterfeit medicinal and other regulated products, emphasizing that every citizen should act as an ambassador of the agency.
