The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its nationwide enforcement operations against hawkers and street peddlers of counterfeit, expired, and unregistered medicines. The raids, which targeted major hotspots in Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja, and Asaba, form part of a renewed drive to rid Nigeria of unsafe pharmaceuticals that pose grave risks to public health.
During the operations, NAFDAC enforcement officers confiscated a wide range of illicit products, including aphrodisiacs, oxytocins, narcotic analgesics such as tramadol and morphine, sex enhancement drugs, antibiotics, and painkillers. The agency disclosed that more than 15 offenders were arrested and large quantities of products, valued at over ₦110,938,800, were evacuated. Those arrested are currently in custody and will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement, expressed concern that the activities of drug hawkers undermine national drug distribution channels, compromise the integrity of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, and endanger millions of lives. She stressed that the sale of medicines in open markets, buses, and unapproved outlets remains strictly prohibited under existing laws.
“Drug hawking is a direct threat to public health and national security. Unregistered and counterfeit medicines are often substandard, contaminated, or outright dangerous. We will continue to pursue offenders with the full weight of the law,” Adeyeye warned.
She further explained that hawkers often peddle products that have been mishandled, improperly stored, or already expired, thereby reducing their potency or transforming them into harmful substances. According to her, many of these illicit products contain toxic or unverified ingredients, which could cause organ damage, addiction, or even death when consumed.
Adeyeye urged Nigerians to resist the temptation of buying medicines from street vendors, warning that “the cheaper price of such drugs often comes at the cost of health and lives.” She encouraged the public to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and accredited outlets, where products are properly regulated and monitored.
Reiterating NAFDAC’s zero-tolerance stance, she assured that the agency would sustain and expand its enforcement drive until street peddling of medicines is eradicated. The agency also called on the public to report suspicious drug sales and collaborate in the fight against counterfeit and unsafe pharmaceuticals.
With the latest seizures, NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s drug supply chain, protecting consumers, and ensuring that offenders face strict legal consequences.
