The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit and adulterated products worth a staggering N2.6 billion in the South-East region. The products, including fake food, drugs, and cosmetics, were set ablaze at the Enugu State Refuse Dumpsite, signaling a major win in the fight against substandard and harmful products in Nigeria.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Mr. Martins Iluyomade, the agency’s South-East Director, emphasized that these harmful products could have endangered the lives of over three million Nigerians, exacerbating the strain on the nation’s already overburdened healthcare system.
“These dangerous goods could have not only cost people their health but also worsened the poverty rate, as families would be forced to spend on medical treatments instead of improving their livelihoods,” said Prof. Adeyeye. She stressed that countless Nigerians have lost their lives to these fake products, calling them “merchants of death” who prioritize profit over human lives.
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This latest destruction sends a clear message that NAFDAC is stepping up its efforts to crack down on unscrupulous manufacturers who endanger public health for economic gain. “It’s no longer business as usual,” warned Adeyeye.
NAFDAC urged Nigerians to join the fight against fake products by reporting any suspicious activities to the nearest agency office. “We won’t rest until every Nigerian household can safely purchase food, medicine, and cosmetics without fear,” Adeyeye assured.
Martins Iluyomade added that the South-East is key to NAFDAC’s success, noting that “70% of the agency’s mandate would be achieved if the region is secured from these dangerous products.” He praised the ongoing raids and routine checks that led to the confiscation of harmful goods, which would have otherwise posed severe risks to public health.
