NAFDAC Discovers USAID-Donated Drugs in Lagos and Abia Markets

NAFDAC Seizes 87 Truckloads of Banned, Expired, and Substandard Drugs Amid Crackdown

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced on Wednesday that it has confiscated 87 truckloads of banned, expired, and substandard medicinal products. Among the seized items were antiretroviral drugs, male and female condoms donated by USAID and UNFPA, as well as other pharmaceuticals.

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this during a briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. She also revealed that counterfeit drug syndicates had threatened her life and those of her staff.

“I mentioned an attempted murder about six months ago. One of our staff members in Kano had his child kidnapped because he was doing his job. Thankfully, the child managed to escape," Adeyeye stated.

She further revealed that she now lives under constant security protection. “I have two policemen stationed at my house 24/7 in both Abuja and Lagos. I don’t have a normal life—I can’t go anywhere without police escorts. That’s not how I want to live, but I have no choice because we must protect our country. At the same time, I use common sense,” she added.

NAFDAC has been conducting a nationwide crackdown on the illegal drug trade, targeting major open drug markets, including Ariaria and Eziukwu in Aba, Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, and Idumota Drug Market in Lagos.

This operation is part of NAFDAC’s National Action Plan 2.0 (2023-2027), aimed at eliminating counterfeit medicines, strengthening regulatory compliance, and safeguarding public health.

Among the seized drugs were large quantities of controlled substances such as TAFRADOL (recently banned in India after a BBC exposé on illicit drug exports to Africa, including Nigeria), Tramadol, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Nitrazepam, and Diazepam.

“The sheer volume of narcotics and controlled substances recovered from these locations is enough to pose a serious security threat to the country,” Adeyeye warned. She also noted that vast quantities of banned, unregistered, and expired drugs were discovered hidden.

Source: punchng.com