The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered and seized over 10 trucks carrying 40-foot containers fully loaded with fake, expired, and falsified drugs at the Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State.
The agency discovered the wide range of fake drugs in various shops during an ongoing enforcement exercise at the market. The operation, which began on Monday, led to several shops being raided, with adulterated, substandard, and expired drugs worth multiple billions of naira found.
According to NAFDAC, the market—comprising several buildings and shops—served as a hub for repackaging and revalidating expired medicines with false claims before selling them to unsuspecting consumers.
Speaking to journalists on the fifth day of the operation (Friday), the agency’s operatives, led by the Director of NAFDAC South East Zone, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, confirmed that the seized trucks were being moved to the agency’s control facility for further examination and subsequent destruction.
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Iluyomade stated, “Today is the fifth day of the enforcement exercise, which we began on Monday. So far, we have moved no fewer than 10 trucks, each carrying a 40-foot container filled with fake, substandard, and adulterated drugs out of the market. Some of these drugs also falsely claim NAFDAC approval.
“We were able to detect these false claims because we used our specialized scanning machines. The seized drugs include expired, banned, substandard, defective, repackaged, and recalled products.
“These drugs are highly dangerous and can lead to death or permanent disability. The seizure aims to eliminate the risk of their reintroduction into the market and demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding public health.
“We discovered that some drug dealers use machines to rebrand, repackage, and alter expiry dates. These items, including rebagged containers and packages, were also found on-site. This exercise follows extensive data collection and intelligence gathering on fake and substandard drugs in the market. Our investigation has revealed that people are repackaging and rebagging counterfeit drugs on a large scale.”
He added that the raid resulted in multiple arrests, including individuals who attempted to obstruct the operation. He also revealed that various sums of money, amounting to N135 million, were offered as bribes to NAFDAC operatives to halt the exercise, but the agency rejected the offers.
According to Iluyomade, the operation—conducted in collaboration with security agencies, market leaders, and other key stakeholders—is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing crackdown on counterfeit drugs in Nigeria.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating substandard and falsified drugs from circulation.
He further disclosed that NAFDAC is reviewing its laws to impose stricter penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, for individuals and organizations involved in the production and distribution of dangerous pharmaceutical products.
“Over 90% of the shops investigated in the market are dealing in fake, substandard, repackaged, and counterfeit drugs. If we fully disclose our findings, the market could be completely shut down.
“During this operation, we have so far removed no fewer than 10 trucks carrying 40-foot fully loaded containers of fake drugs, and more are still being loaded. These containers are being moved to our control facility for further examination and destruction. If the public knew what we discovered in this market, people would be in tears.
“Let me also state that some traders attempted to bribe our staff with N135 million to halt the exercise or allow them to move their fake products. However, we have remained steadfast in sanitizing the market.
“This operation is being carried out transparently, and it is not intended to target anyone unfairly. However, a small percentage—less than 10%—of shops were found to be free of fake drugs. Those traders have been notified and are now recognized as our ambassadors in the fight against counterfeit drugs,”** Iluyomade said.
One of the drug dealers given a clean bill of health, Chukwudi Ikem, also spoke to journalists, stating, **“Initially, I thought this operation was meant to victimize certain traders, but I now understand its good intentions.
“If NAFDAC had come a year or two ago, I might not have escaped penalties because I was dealing in fake drugs at the time. However, my conscience troubled me, and I decided to change my ways. Today, I am relieved that my shop was cleared
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