The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has uncovered what it described as “one of the worst counterfeit medicine operations in recent years,” seizing over 10 million doses of fake and banned drugs hidden inside warehouse buildings in Lagos.
Briefing journalists in Lagos, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products, Mr. Martins Iluyomade said the discovery followed intelligence from a training meeting held on February 3 on suspicious activities around the Trade Fair–Navy area.
“Acting on information from that meeting, our team visited the location and found multiple warehouse structures built like residential houses but used solely for storage. The area is deserted, not somewhere people normally go — which is likely why they operated undetected,” Iluyomade said.
Inside the buildings, officials found large quantities of counterfeit medicines, including injectable anti-malarials, antibiotics, sachet drugs, blister packs, and banned products such as Analgin, which has been prohibited for over 15 years, reports Vanguard.
“What we discovered should make every Nigerian cry. These were not just fake vitamins. These were life-saving medicines — injections used in emergency cases like cerebral malaria. When fake injections are used in such situations, it becomes a death sentence.”
According to NAFDAC, the anti-malarial injections alone could have endangered over three million lives, while the total quantity recovered across all products exceeded 10 million doses.
“It is extremely difficult to distinguish the fake from the original. Even product owners sometimes struggle to tell the difference. That is how sophisticated these criminals have become,” he stated.
He said the street value of the confiscated products is over ₦3 billion, with eight trailers loaded with assorted fake medicines and cosmetics evacuated from the site.
“This is a major breakthrough for us and for Nigerians. These products will not enter circulation,” he stated.
He described the operation as the work of an international syndicate. “They clone original products. They take samples of genuine medicines, reproduce them abroad to near perfection, and push them back into our distribution chain. This is organised crime involving collaborators both inside and outside Nigeria.”
NAFDAC warned that Nigeria’s health system is under attack from counterfeiters driven by profit.
“The country is under siege by people who want to make money at all costs — even if it means killing fellow citizens and destroying reputable brands,” he said.
He revealed that some manufacturers had reported fake versions of their products in the market for over six months, but criminals often distribute in small quantities to avoid detection.
NAFDAC urged citizens to buy medicines only from registered pharmacies and accredited outlets, avoid drugs sold by hawkers, always scratch and verify authentication codes on medicine packs, and be suspicious of products sold far below normal prices.
“If a drug is unusually cheap, don’t think you’ve found a bargain. It could cost you your life,” he warned.
The agency also placed responsibility on distributors. “No fake product can enter the market without some level of collaboration in the distribution chain. Distributors must report suspicious supplies,” he said.
Responding to questions on imports, NAFDAC said it has agreements with regulatory authorities in countries like China and India, including pre-shipment inspections and laboratory analysis.
“But these criminals bypass legitimate routes through false declarations, such as labeling medicines as spare parts. Cartons may not show what is inside, so vigilance at entry points is critical,” he said.
On internal safeguards, NAFDAC said officers have been dismissed and prosecuted for corruption.
“The current administration has zero tolerance. Internal systems are in place to detect and punish any collaborator within the agency.” NAFDAC also announced that enforcement against sachet alcohol below 200ml is entering a new phase.
“Consumers and traders are warned: “Do not buy or distribute these products. After this public notice, anyone found selling them, risks confiscation and prosecution,” he warned.
“This fight is not for NAFDAC alone. Fake medicines do not know names or status. Anyone can be a victim. Nigerians must join us to stop this deadly trade.”
He disclosed that 4 people were arrested at the scene and investigation was ongoing to ascertain their level of involvement while more search is still going to get the main owners of the cartels.
“We won’t leave any stone unturned until we get to the bottom of it. And that is going on right now.”
