Lagos was thrown into sharp focus on Wednesday as the State Police Command uncovered and shut down a sprawling counterfeit drug operation hidden inside a three-storey building on Alhaji Oki Road in Mosafejo, Ojo. The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, led journalists through the site and described the discovery as a decisive step in protecting millions of residents from dangerous, unregulated medicines.
Jimoh explained that the illegal factory had been producing large quantities of fake pharmaceutical products meant for unsuspecting buyers. Many of the drugs found were for oral use and posed severe health risks. He revealed that the top floor of the building served as the main production point, complete with machines used to alter expiry dates and repackage expired items. He stressed that counterfeit drugs continue to harm thousands and called the operation a vital victory in the fight against criminal networks that prey on the public.
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The commissioner said the raid was carried out under the full authority of Nigerian law, which empowers the police to investigate and arrest those involved in the manufacture and distribution of fake medicines. He also confirmed that the operation was carried out in partnership with relevant regulatory bodies. The suspected mastermind has fled, but officers are pursuing him and widening the investigation to cover his entire network.
Jimoh urged residents to be mindful of where they purchase medicines and to verify authenticity before use. He warned that counterfeiters often target unsuspecting customers and encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activity. He noted that the success of the raid was driven by credible intelligence from the community. He thanked police officers, community leaders and members of the public for their cooperation, adding that the command remains committed to protecting those who provide information.
