In an escalating war against counterfeit drugs, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Wednesday revealed serious threats to her life and that of her agency’s personnel as they intensify crackdowns on illicit drug markets across Nigeria.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Adeyeye expressed concerns about her safety due to the growing resistance from powerful drug syndicates. “For me, I have two policemen living in my house 24/7… I can’t go anywhere without police, and to me, that is not my way of living,” she disclosed, emphasizing the dangers faced by NAFDAC officials.
The agency recently carried out what Adeyeye described as its most extensive enforcement operation to date, seizing counterfeit and expired pharmaceuticals worth approximately ₦1 trillion in major drug hubs such as Onitsha, Aba, and Lagos. “Many people are dying, and many have died as a result of the activities of fake drug peddlers,” she warned, underscoring the urgency of the crackdown.
During the operation, authorities uncovered alarming violations, including the storage of falsified medical products in unhygienic locations like toilets and rooftops. Some of the seized drugs included expired medications, narcotics, and even donated medicines intended for HIV/AIDS treatment. The large-scale raid, executed under NAFDAC’s National Action Plan (NAP 2.0), was backed by 1,100 security operatives, including military and police forces.
As drug cartels grow more sophisticated, Adeyeye is pushing for tougher legislation, including life imprisonment and the death penalty for offenders. “We need to save our country,” she asserted, calling for immediate legal reforms to deter counterfeit drug manufacturers and traffickers.
Her advocacy draws parallels to the late Prof. Dora Akunyili’s historic fight against drug counterfeiting, which also made her a target for criminal networks. Despite the risks, Adeyeye remains resolute in her mission, vowing to publicly destroy all seized drugs and tighten regulations on pharmaceutical distribution.
With support from the National Security Adviser, NAFDAC has made 40 arrests and established a database of offenders. As the crackdown intensifies, the agency faces an uphill battle against entrenched criminal networks, but Adeyeye remains determined to “ensure a safer environment for all Nigerians.”
