The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake and expired products worth N5 billion in Nasarawa State, as part of its ongoing efforts to protect public health and ensure the safety of consumable goods in the country.
The exercise, carried out at a secure location in the state capital, followed extensive raids and seizures of counterfeit and substandard drugs, cosmetics, and food items circulating in markets across the state. Officials say the operation targeted warehouses and shops found to be selling unregistered, expired, or potentially harmful products that pose serious risks to consumers.
Addressing journalists during the destruction event, the NAFDAC Zonal Director in charge of Zone C, Mr. Kenneth Azikiwe, stressed the importance of eliminating unsafe products from the supply chain. He noted that fake and expired goods not only undermine public trust, but can also lead to adverse health outcomes, including treatment failures, toxicity, and death.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that the fake products were confiscated by the agency’s personnel during routine monitoring exercises.
“The destruction of these N5 billion worth of fake and expired products underscores our commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians. No stone will be left unturned in our fight against substandard and counterfeit products,” the director said.
NAFDAC officials further urged residents of Nasarawa State and neighbouring communities to always verify the authenticity of products before purchase, report suspicious outlets, and patronize only licensed pharmacies and retailers.
Representatives of consumer rights groups present at the event commended NAFDAC’s decisive action, describing the clampdown as timely and critical to stemming the proliferation of dangerous products in the market.
The agency reaffirmed its pledge to sustain enforcement activities and collaborate with security agencies to track down and prosecute violators responsible for producing and distributing fake and expired goods.
