*Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, justifies the health regulator’s latest enforcement operations in the Idumota open drug market (Lagos), Ariaria drug market, in Aba (Abia), and Bridge Market, in Onitsha, (Anambra), stating the markets are notorious for distribution of over 80 percent of substandard medications across Nigeria

Gnenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

As the health sector regulatory agency’s intensifies fresh offensives against fake, counterfeit and substandard drugs across the country, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclosed its enforcement operatives shut over 11,000 shops, and arrested 40 individuals as ‘merchants of death’ in the ongoing nationwide clampdown.

绿帽献妻 reports NAFDAC disclosed it had activated enforcement operations in the Idumota open drug market, in Lagos State, the Ariaria drug market, in Aba, Abia State, and the Bridge Market, in Onitsha, Anambra State, South-East Nigeria, beginning from February 10, 2025.

How Idumota, Ariaria and Bridge Markets dispense over 80 percent of substandard medications in Nigeria, by Prof. Adeyeye

Speaking on the renewed enforcement operations while briefing reporters Saturday, February 23, in Lagos, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, affirmed that the latest enforcement had been planned for over a year as a covert operation.

Photo collage of confiscated substandard drugs during recent enforcement operations in Abia, Anambra and Lagos states聽

Adeyeye averred that聽 the three markets – Idumota, Ariaria and Bridge Market – which reportedly distribute over 80 percent of illicit and substandard medications across Nigeria, were targeted to eliminate falsified and unregistered drugs, and protect consumers’ well-being.

In regard to the extent of illegal trading in substandard medicines in the markets, the Director-General confirmed that its operatives evacuated over 20 trucks of fake drugs from several locations in Aba, at least 30 trucks seized in Onitsha, and 27 trucks of fake drugs removed from the Idumota market, in Lagos.

NAFDAC seizures during the latest enforcement operations

She also stated: 鈥淲e are winding down our operations in Aba because we have almost completed the evacuation.

鈥淥ur next phase is to inspect shops individually to identify those operating legally and those who are not registered.”

Of genuine but unregistered medicines with PCN

According to NAFDAC @NafdacAgency, Prof. Adeyeye, at the weekend also visited the agency’s Enforcement Office in Apapa, Lagos, to inspect illicit pharmaceuticals confiscated from the Idumota Open Drug Market recently.

The agency disclosed that the said warehouse was filled with some seized drugs even stored in the Director鈥檚 office.

The Chief Executive of NAFDAC further said: “We have closed over 4,000 shops, in Onitsha, 3,027 in Lagos, and another 4,000 in Aba, since the commencement of these operations.

鈥淚n Onitsha, we have completed only 20 percent of the work.

“We need to carry out a thorough operation because some traders, although genuine, are not registered under the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN).鈥�

Commendation for ONSA on support against counterfeit drug peddlers

Acknowledging the support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in Nigeria, Prof. Adeyeye commended the leadership of the National Security agency for providing adequate security.

Photo collage of the recent destruction of seized illicit medicines in Rivers State

Their support made the operations possible, she stated.

The Director-General of NAFDAC noted: “Three years ago, some of our officers were nearly killed while attempting a similar operation in Onitsha.

鈥淥ur enforcement teams in these three locations were able to carry out their duties without fear.

鈥淭he NSA provided us with 400 officers in Onitsha, 350 in Aba, and over 250 in Lagos to ensure the safety of our personnel.”

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