In a significant move against the illicit drug trade, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) launched a comprehensive crackdown on major open drug markets across Nigeria. This operation, commencing on February 9, 2025, targeted Ariaria and Eziukwu markets in Aba, Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, and Idumota Drug Market in Lagos, known hubs for the distribution of counterfeit and substandard medications. The operation, involving over 1,100 security personnel, including military, police, and Department of State Services agents, resulted in the seizure of a staggering 87 truckloads of illicit pharmaceuticals, estimated to be worth N1 trillion, a figure that could rise after a complete post-operation assessment. The seized goods included expired and improperly stored medications, banned substances, and even diverted medical supplies donated by international organizations like USAID and UNFPA.
The operation unearthed a disturbing reality: life-saving antiretroviral drugs and condoms intended for Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response were found expired, repackaged, and offered for sale. This diversion of essential medical supplies not only jeopardizes public health but also undermines global efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The discovery highlights the depth of the illegal drug trade and its potential to cripple public health initiatives. The compromised medications were not only expired but also stored in highly inappropriate conditions, further diminishing their efficacy and potentially rendering them toxic. Medications requiring specific temperature-controlled environments were found stacked in toilets, under staircases, and on rooftops, exposed to extreme temperatures. These conditions not only degraded the drugs but also posed significant health risks to consumers.
The operation also revealed the prevalence of controlled substances within these markets. Large quantities of Tramadol, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Nitrazepam, and Diazepam were seized, along with TAFRADOL, a drug recently banned in India following an exposé revealing its illicit manufacture and export to Africa. The volume of narcotics and controlled substances confiscated underscored the potential for these drugs to destabilize national security. The NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized that the sheer quantity of these drugs represented a serious threat to the nation’s stability. The operation uncovered a vast network of illicit drug distribution, highlighting the urgent need for continued vigilance and enforcement.
Beyond the immediate seizure of illicit drugs, the operation aimed to create a more sustainable solution to the problem of unregulated drug markets. NAFDAC meticulously documented the offenses and created a database of over 7,000 shops screened during the operation. This information will be crucial in pursuing legal action against the offenders. Over 40 arrests have been made thus far, and prosecutions are expected to follow. Beyond prosecuting individual offenders, NAFDAC plans to implement a long-term strategy involving the relocation of these markets to designated Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs). Six such centers are planned across the country, one per geopolitical zone. This initiative aims to establish regulated and monitored distribution channels, reducing the risk of counterfeit and substandard drugs entering the market.
The operation, described as NAFDAC’s largest in history, represents a critical step in the agency’s National Action Plan 2.0 (2023-2027). This plan focuses on eliminating counterfeit medicines, improving regulatory compliance, and ultimately safeguarding public health. The successful execution of this operation demonstrates NAFDAC’s commitment to these goals. However, the fight against illicit drug trade is fraught with danger. Professor Adeyeye revealed the personal risks she and her staff face, including attempted murder and the kidnapping of a staff member’s child. These incidents underscore the gravity of the situation and the lengths to which criminal networks will go to protect their illicit operations.
The challenges faced by NAFDAC highlight the urgent need for increased security and protection for those involved in combating the illegal drug trade. Professor Adeyeye has called for the death penalty for individuals involved in the production and sale of fake drugs, emphasizing the severity of the crime and its devastating impact on public health. She also advocated for greater support and protection for NAFDAC officials, who often put their lives at risk in the line of duty. The ongoing operation, while disruptive in the short term, is a necessary step towards ensuring the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals available to Nigerians. The eventual relocation of these markets to regulated CWCs holds the promise of a more structured and controlled pharmaceutical distribution system, one that prioritizes public health over illicit profits.
