The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently concluded a massive six-week enforcement operation targeting the distribution of substandard, falsified, banned medicines, and narcotics in major markets across Nigeria. This operation, according to NAFDAC’s Director General, Professor Moji Adeyeye, resulted in the seizure and evacuation of over 100 truckloads of illicit pharmaceuticals from Idumota Market in Lagos State, Onitsha Market and Aba Market in Abia State. The sheer scale of the confiscated products, estimated to be worth over a trillion naira, highlighted the severity of the problem and the potential devastating consequences for public health, national security, and the nation’s economy. Professor Adeyeye stressed that allowing these dangerous products to remain in circulation would not only jeopardize the health and well-being of millions of Nigerians but could also destabilize the country and fuel criminal activities like banditry and terrorism.
The operation in Idumota Market saw the removal of 27 truckloads of illicit goods, which have since been destroyed. In Aba, the exercise resulted in the confiscation of 14 truckloads of violating medicines from a warehouse in Osisioma, four truckloads from another warehouse on Ariara Road, and an additional ten truckloads seized directly from market stalls. The operation in Onitsha, the largest of the three, continued for a longer period due to the entrenched nature of the illegal drug trade in the area. The scale of the operation reflects the pervasive nature of the illegal drug trade in these markets and underscores the crucial role NAFDAC plays in safeguarding public health. The agency’s intervention is not merely a regulatory action but a critical step in preventing widespread health crises and protecting the nation’s future.
The Onitsha market, a sprawling commercial hub with over 110 designated drug sales points alongside other businesses, presented unique challenges for the NAFDAC team. Warehouses in the plumbing section were found to be crammed with pharmaceuticals stored in deplorable conditions, lacking proper ventilation and exposed to temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Such conditions accelerate the degradation of medications, rendering them ineffective and potentially harmful to consumers. Prior intelligence had alerted NAFDAC to suspicious activities in this area, and previous attempts to investigate had been met with violent resistance. This hostile environment underscores the risks NAFDAC officials face in carrying out their duties.
The entrenched nature of the illegal drug trade in Onitsha was evident in the violent resistance encountered by NAFDAC officials during previous attempts to investigate suspicious activities. Merchants involved in the illicit trade, described as “merchants of death,” mobilized to protect their operations, even resorting to physical attacks on law enforcement and NAFDAC personnel. In one instance, NAFDAC staff were bloodied and nearly killed during an intelligence-gathering mission. These incidents highlight the dangers faced by NAFDAC officials working to protect public health and the lengths to which these criminal networks will go to defend their illicit trade.
Despite the dangers and challenges, NAFDAC persevered in its mission to clear the Onitsha market of dangerous drugs. The operation yielded a staggering haul of illicit pharmaceuticals, including ten 40-foot truckloads of tramadol – a powerful opioid analgesic often abused for its psychoactive effects – from various sections of the market, including plumbing, wood plank, and fashion lines. Shockingly, four truckloads of codeine syrup, a product banned nearly seven years prior due to widespread abuse, were also confiscated. The discovery of these banned substances underscores the persistent and blatant disregard for regulations by these illegal operators.
Professor Adeyeye emphasized that the primary objective of the enforcement exercise was to protect the health and well-being of Nigerians. The seizure of vast quantities of substandard and falsified medications, alongside banned narcotics, prevents these dangerous products from reaching consumers, mitigating the risk of adverse health events and potential fatalities. Beyond public health, the operation also aims to foster legitimate trade by eliminating unfair competition from illicit operators and creating a level playing field for businesses complying with regulations. Finally, by disrupting the flow of narcotics, NAFDAC contributes to national security by mitigating the factors that fuel criminal activities such as banditry and terrorism. This multi-pronged approach demonstrates NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting the health, economy, and security of Nigeria.
