By Olaitan Ibrahim
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, expired, and substandard products worth N4.7 billion in Rivers State.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, disclosed this during the destruction exercise at the Rivers State dump site in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Adeyeye, represented by Mr. Chukwuma Oligbu, NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, stated that the destroyed products were seized from the six states in the South-South region—Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
She emphasised that the agency’s investigation, enforcement, and destruction of harmful products reflect its unwavering commitment to public health.
“The destruction of these harmful products is not just a routine exercise,” Adeyeye said.
“It is a firm statement of our unwavering resolve and commitment to protect the lives of the people from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines, unwholesome food, medical devices, and other hazardous regulated products.
“These products, if allowed to circulate, could cause untold harm, including treatment failures, drug resistance, prolonged illnesses, and even loss of lives.”
The destroyed items included substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food and food additives, unsafe cosmetics, and expired NAFDAC-regulated products confiscated from manufacturers, importers, and distributors.
Adeyeye revealed that some of the items were voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), and trade unions.
She explained that the feat was achieved through intelligence gathering in July 2024, noting that the estimated street value of the destroyed products was N4.7 billion.
According to her, NAFDAC uncovered several warehouses in Port Harcourt where expired alcoholic beverages were being revalidated and reintroduced into circulation.
“After a properly coordinated surveillance, the warehouses were raided and the products confiscated.
“Also, through this operation, a warehouse filled with unregistered cosmetics was raided, and products worth several millions of naira were seized.
“Seized unregistered imported vegetable oil without Vitamin A fortification and assorted unregistered cosmetics from Delta State were also among the products destroyed,” she said.
Adeyeye acknowledged that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Edo State handed over two 40-foot containers of various unregistered and substandard drugs, which were also among the items destroyed.
She commended security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for their support in the fight against fake and substandard products.
Adeyeye also recognised the contributions of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and the media, reaffirming NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting the public from dangerous products.
She urged stakeholders, including health professionals, law enforcement agencies, industry players, and the general public, to support the agency’s efforts by reporting suspicious activities and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA; the Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Eastern Marine Command; the Deputy Commander of NSCDC; the Rivers State Chairman of ACPN; the Sole Administrator of RIWAMA; officials of the State Fire Service; and NAFDAC coordinators from the South-South Zone.