ABUJA, Nigeria — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized counterfeit, unregistered and expired products worth over ₦1.5 billion in a major enforcement sweep at the Lagos Trade Fair complex.
Acting on credible intelligence, NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, led by Dr Martins Iluyomade, stormed the cosmetics section of the market. The agency uncovered multiple warehouses packed with hazardous goods and intercepted a trailer allegedly being used to smuggle products out of the premises.
“The driver abandoned the trailer and fled,” said Iluyomade, confirming the vehicle has since been secured. “We found products lacking NAFDAC registration, expiration dates, or any form of labelling — posing serious public health risks.”
The confiscated items include banned cosmetics, expired food items, and other consumer goods under NAFDAC regulation. Officials said more than a trailer load of these illegal products has been evacuated. “This is one of our largest seizures in recent times,” a NAFDAC spokesperson stated. “It underscores our zero-tolerance stance on substandard and falsified products nationwide.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the agency emphasised that the operation is part of an ongoing campaign to protect Nigerians from harmful goods.
Dr Iluyomade, calling on consumers to report unregistered or suspicious goods and vendors, urged citizens to stay alert. “Public health is non-negotiable. We are removing these dangerous items from circulation and ensuring those behind them face justice.”
