NAFDAC Seizes Fake and Expired Drugs in Onitsha Market During Major Raid

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has conducted a major operation at the Ogbo-Ogu Market, Bridge Head, in Onitsha, Anambra State, where a wide range of counterfeit, substandard, and expired drugs were seized from several shops. The raid, which took place on Monday, was part of NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to eliminate fake and harmful drugs from circulation and protect public health.

Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the Director of NAFDAC South East Zone, led the operation, which was carried out in collaboration with the market task force and other security agencies. Iluyomade explained that the operation was part of a larger campaign to tackle the growing problem of illegal drug trade in the South-East region. He said the agency had been gathering intelligence for some time, which revealed that some traders in the market were repackaging and reselling counterfeit drugs as legitimate products.

According to Iluyomade, the raid focused on confiscating spurious, substandard, and expired drugs, which have been a growing concern for public health. He warned that the counterfeit products found in the market could lead to severe health risks, including death or permanent disability, as many of the drugs were sensitive medicines such as antibiotics, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-asthmatic, and anti-malarial drugs. Other dangerous items seized included aphrodisiacs, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, psychoactive substances, and banned drugs like tramadol, codeine, and gentamycin.

In addition to pharmaceuticals, the enforcement team also seized banned and unsafe items such as unlicensed vaccines, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, chemicals, and even empty containers and packaging materials. The operation, which is taking place simultaneously in multiple South-East states, is part of NAFDAC’s broader mission to sanitize the drug market and safeguard the health of the public.

Iluyomade further explained that many of the seized products were packaged to imitate well-known brands in an attempt to deceive customers. He emphasized that these counterfeit drugs, often produced under unsafe conditions, could have serious and potentially fatal consequences for users. The NAFDAC team was seen working with security operatives and market stakeholders to ensure the smooth execution of the operation, which was supported by representatives from various trade unions and market leaders.

While Iluyomade could not immediately provide an estimated value of the confiscated products, he assured the public that the exercise would continue until all illegal drugs were removed from the market. He also urged consumers to be cautious when purchasing medicines and to buy only from licensed and registered outlets to avoid falling victim to the illegal trade of fake drugs.

The operation was part of NAFDAC’s larger strategy to combat the circulation of fake and substandard drugs, which have become a growing problem in Nigeria’s informal drug markets. The agency has vowed to continue its efforts to eliminate dangerous drugs from the market and ensure the safety of Nigerian consumers.