The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, expired and substandard products valued at ₦2.6 billion in Rivers State as part of a nationwide crackdown on counterfeit and unwholesome goods worth more than ₦5.3 billion.

The products, which included pharmaceutical items, chemicals, tomato paste, biscuits and other consumer goods considered unsafe for use or consumption, were intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Onne Port between 2025 and 2026.

The destruction exercise took place at a Rivers State Waste Management Agency dumpsite along the Oyigbo Expressway in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.

NAFDAC Begins First Phase of Destruction

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, was represented at the exercise by the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, who also chairs the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods.

Iluyomade said the exercise marked the first phase of the destruction of the seized products, adding that more consignments were expected to be evacuated from the port for disposal.

He explained that the process leading to the destruction had taken almost two weeks but expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among relevant government agencies would make subsequent operations faster and more efficient.

He commended the Nigeria Customs Service for intercepting the products and urged the agency to ensure that other seized consignments were made available for destruction without unnecessary delays.

Fake Drugs, Unsafe Food Pose Public Health Risks

Iluyomade described the fight against counterfeit products as an important part of national security, warning that fake medicines and unsafe food could expose consumers to serious health risks.

“No single agency can tackle the menace of insecurity alone. When people cannot access safe medicines or eat good food, they are insecure,” he said.

He reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting public health and ensuring that only safe food, medicines and other regulated products were available to Nigerians.

Agency Seeks Public Cooperation

The NAFDAC official urged members of the public to report suspected counterfeit products through the agency’s established channels, including its state offices and contact details published on its website.

He cautioned against immediately publicising discoveries of suspected fake products on social media, explaining that such disclosures could alert those responsible and give them time to conceal the goods before enforcement officers arrived.

Iluyomade said timely information from the public remained crucial to enforcement efforts, adding that manufacturers and traders involved in producing or distributing counterfeit goods would continue to face action under the law.

The agency said further destruction exercises were expected as additional seized consignments were brought forward for disposal.