NAFDAC Destroys ₦2.6bn Worth Of Fake Drugs, Expired Goods In Rivers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit drugs, expired goods and other unsafe products valued at ₦2.6 billion in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of efforts to protect public health.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the products were seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Onne Port between 2025 and 2026. The items included medicines, chemicals, tomato paste, biscuits and other consumer goods deemed unsafe for use or consumption.

The destruction exercise took place at the Rivers State Waste Management Agency dumpsite along Oyigbo Expressway, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, over the weekend.

The operation forms part of a nationwide crackdown on counterfeit, expired and substandard products valued at more than ₦5.3 billion.

Speaking during the exercise, NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, said the destruction marked the first phase of the operation.

Iluyomade, who also chairs the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, disclosed that additional seized consignments were expected to be removed from the port for destruction.

He explained that preparations for the exercise had taken almost two weeks, expressing hope that improved coordination among the relevant agencies would help speed up similar operations in the future.

The NAFDAC official commended the Customs Service for intercepting the products and urged it to ensure that other seized consignments awaiting disposal were released for destruction promptly.

Iluyomade described the fight against counterfeit and unsafe products as an important national security concern, warning that fake medicines and contaminated or substandard food could endanger lives.

“No single agency can tackle the menace of insecurity alone. When people cannot access safe medicines or eat good food, they are insecure,” he said.

He assured Nigerians that NAFDAC would continue working with relevant agencies to ensure that only safe food, medicines and other regulated products were available in the Nigerian market.

The agency also urged members of the public to report suspected counterfeit products through its official reporting channels, including its state offices and contact details published on its website.

Iluyomade advised Nigerians against immediately posting suspected fake products on social media before alerting the agency, warning that such posts could tip off those responsible and give them an opportunity to conceal the products before enforcement officers arrived.

He emphasised that information provided by members of the public remained important to the agency’s enforcement efforts and called for stronger cooperation between citizens and regulatory authorities.

The NAFDAC official further warned manufacturers, distributors and traders involved in the production or sale of counterfeit and unsafe goods that the agency would continue its efforts to investigate and prosecute offenders in accordance with the law.

The destruction underscores the continuing efforts of NAFDAC and the Nigeria Customs Service to prevent dangerous products from reaching consumers and to strengthen enforcement against counterfeit medicines and substandard goods across the country.