Crime
₦120bn Worth Of Fake Products Destroyed In Six Months – NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the destruction of over ₦120 billion worth of seized substandard products across Nigeria in just six months.
This revelation came from the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in her Christmas and New Year messages to Nigerians.
The crackdown, spanning October to December 2024, targeted substandard medicines, counterfeit foods, and beverages across the country’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
READ MORE: 2025: Nigerian States Fail To Achieve 60% Budget Execution In 2024
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health, urging citizens to buy food and beverages only from credible outlets and to avoid products lacking NAFDAC registration numbers.
“When a product is too cheap, it is most likely compromised,” Prof. Adeyeye cautioned, stressing that such items often pose severe health risks.
Nationwide Operations and Seizures
NAFDAC’s enforcement operations were spearheaded by its Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) Directorate in collaboration with the Pharmacovigilance (PV) and Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) Directorates. Highlights of their efforts include:
Ibadan (December 11, 2024): Destruction of expired and unregistered drugs worth ₦11 billion.
Lagos: Seizure of fake medicines worth ₦300 million at the Tyre Village, Trade Fair Complex in November. Counterfeit alcohol packaging centers were dismantled, confiscating items valued at ₦2 billion.
Nasarawa State (Karu Market): Confiscation of ₦5 billion worth of expired and counterfeit rice. A factory and eight shops packaging fake rice, valued at ₦5 billion, were sealed at Ninjur Ventures on Abacha Road.
FCT (Abuja Markets): Over 1,600 bags of counterfeit rice worth ₦5 billion seized at Wuse and Garki markets.
Aba, Abia State (December 16-17, 2024): Large-scale production and distribution of counterfeit goods uncovered, including beverages, carbonated drinks, spirits, and revalidated food items such as noodles and powdered milk, valued at ₦5 billion.
2025: Tougher Measures Ahead
Prof. Adeyeye reiterated NAFDAC’s resolve to intensify its efforts against the “merchants of death” in 2025. “The coming year will be tough for people who prioritize money over the wellbeing of their fellow human beings,” she warned.
To ensure public safety, NAFDAC advised Nigerians to Purchase products from reputable outlets with NAFDAC registration numbers, avoid goods sold at unusually low prices, as they are often counterfeit and look out for poor packaging, spelling errors, and unusual bottle shapes, which may indicate falsified products.
“We appeal to Nigerians to buy only NAFDAC-registered drinks from licensed retailers, bars, and supermarkets,” Prof. Adeyeye added.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment on Tuesday after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the trial.
During the court session, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that he had only recently been assigned to handle the case and needed additional time to consult with witnesses.
SEE ALSO: Malami Speaks Out On Court Ruling, Urges Nigerians To Stay Calm
“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses,” Kehinde told the court while asking for a new hearing date.
Counsel for the defendants, Shuaibu Arua (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment.
Following the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed April 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arraigned the former justice minister and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of allegedly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.
Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.
The trial is expected to continue in April when the court begins full hearing of the case.
A routine patrol by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Lagos and the exposure of a wanted driver, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle documentation and cooperation with authorities.
The incident occurred at the RS2.1114 Isolo Unit Command, where officers stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna bearing registration number LSD438GK for a Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at about 5:11 p.m.
While the driver initially failed to present valid documents, further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen and the driver was already declared wanted.
SEE ALSO: Fatigue, Over Speeding Led To Road Accident Which Claimed 21 Kano Athletes – FRSC
The suspect was subsequently handed over in handcuffs to the Nigeria Police Force, Ajao Division, for further action.
The FRSC credited the recovery to the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), a digital framework that strengthens vehicle verification and tracking.
The scheme has reportedly helped identify, trace, and recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, while curbing criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and identity manipulation.
In a statement, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide stressed that enforcement is not only about traffic compliance but also crime prevention and public safety, urging motorists to always carry valid documentation and cooperate with patrol officers.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended the Isolo team for their vigilance, affirming the FRSC’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships to protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.
A major election scandal unfolded on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as security agents apprehended a young woman in the Kabusa area for allegedly possessing 20 voter cards during the ongoing area council elections.
The woman, dressed in a black shirt and red trousers with a white scarf, was intercepted at Polling Unit 001 in Kabusa Primary School.
She was immediately escorted into a police van by security personnel, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
SEE ALSO: Chaos At Nyanya Polling Unit As PDP, ADC Accuse APC of ₦1,000 Vote Buying
Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was on the ground monitoring the elections.
He visited several polling units, including the Karu Chief’s Palace, to interact with adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assess voter turnout.
Wike reportedly inquired about the progress of the voting and the challenges faced by election officials.
This incident comes amid reports of low voter turnout and other electoral irregularities in parts of Abuja, underscoring ongoing concerns about electoral security and transparency in the FCT area council elections.
Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect may face legal action pending further verification of her actions.
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