The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated 87 truckloads of banned, expired, and substandard medicinal products, including USAID- and UNFPA-donated antiretroviral drugs, male and female condoms, and other compromised medical supplies.

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made this announcement on Wednesday, revealing that counterfeit drug cartels have threatened her life and the safety of NAFDAC staff due to their ongoing crackdown on illicit drug trade.

"One of our staff members in Kano had his child kidnapped because he was doing his job. Fortunately, the child escaped," she shared during a briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

"For me, I have two policemen living in my house 24/7 in Abuja and Lagos. I can’t go anywhere without police escorts. That’s not my way of living, but I don’t have a choice because we must save our country."

As part of NAFDAC’s National Action Plan 2.0 (2023-2027), aimed at eliminating counterfeit drugs and safeguarding public health, the agency has been raiding the country’s three major open drug markets:

• Ariaria and Eziukwu Markets (Aba, Abia State)
• Bridge Head Market (Onitsha, Anambra State)
• Idumota Drug Market (Lagos State)

The N1 trillion haul included diverted and expired USAID and UNFPA medical supplies, antiretroviral drugs, and condoms intended to support Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response. These products were either improperly stored or resold for profit, compromising the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

"Products requiring cold chain storage were found stacked in toilets, under staircases, and on rooftops at high temperatures, causing them to degrade into less effective and toxic substances," Adeyeye explained.

Among the seized goods were large quantities of controlled drugs such as Tramadol, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Nitrazepam, Diazepam, and the recently banned TAFRADOL — notorious after a BBC investigation exposed its illicit export to Africa.

"The volume of narcotics and controlled substances seized is enough to destabilize the country security-wise," she warned.

The operation, NAFDAC’s largest in history, began on February 9, 2025, with 1,100 security operatives — including military personnel, police, and Department of State Services (DSS) agents — sealing off markets to prevent traders from smuggling illegal products.

So far:

• 87 truckloads of illicit drugs seized
• 7,000 shops screened
• 40 arrests made with prosecution underway

The agency is also working with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) to relocate drug markets within the next year to six Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Despite the risks to her life, Prof. Adeyeye remains resolute, calling on security agencies to protect NAFDAC officials and advocating for the death penalty for those involved in the production and sale of counterfeit drugs.