The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, expired, and unwholesome drugs valued at over ₦15 billion at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The exercise, carried out on Wednesday, was part of the agency’s ongoing effort to prevent hazardous substances from re-entering circulation and endangering public health.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye—represented by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement—revealed that the destroyed items included counterfeit, banned, unregistered, controlled, and expired medicines. Among them were Analgin, Co-codamol, codeine-based cough syrups, Tramadol, Oxytocin, and expired vaccines.
Adeyeye also disclosed a recent seizure where a container disguised as diclofenac was found to contain more than 100,000 smuggled anti-malarial tablets in 277 cartons. The suspect linked to the consignment has been arrested and faces prosecution.
In a related operation at a military barracks in Lagos, NAFDAC also confiscated illegally manufactured cosmetics and packaging materials, while nationwide raids targeted black-market drug sellers and unlicensed medicine outlets.
The destruction included over 25 seized 40-foot containers supplied by the Nigeria Customs Service, loaded with prohibited items such as Tramadol, Artesunate injections, and frozen poultry.
Adeyeye urged Nigerians—particularly community leaders, healthcare professionals, religious figures, and journalists—to enlighten the public about the dangers of patronizing unlicensed vendors. She called on citizens to report suspicious activities, stressing that public cooperation is vital to protecting national health.
She commended the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, DSS, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, and other security agencies for supporting NAFDAC’s regulatory mission.
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