The Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has raised concerns about threats to her life and the safety of agency staff. She urged authorities to ensure their protection as they work in dangerous conditions.
She also called for the death penalty for individuals involved in producing and distributing counterfeit drugs in Nigeria.
Speaking at a State House briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, Prof. Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC had recently confiscated fake and substandard drugs valued at over N1 trillion as part of an ongoing crackdown.
The NAFDAC head revealed that heightened enforcement efforts had led to the seizure of 87 truckloads of banned, expired, and low-quality medical products. Among the items confiscated were antiretroviral drugs, male and female condoms, and other compromised medical supplies, some of which were donated by USAID and UNFPA.
She described the large-scale operation, which targeted Nigeria’s three major open drug markets, as the most extensive in NAFDAC’s history. The crackdown took place in:
Ariaria and Eziukwu Markets (Aba, Abia State)
Bridge Head Market (Onitsha, Anambra State)
Idumota Drug Market (Lagos State)
Prof. Adeyeye estimated that the seized items were worth at least N1 trillion, though further evaluations might reveal an even higher amount.
She recounted incidents where NAFDAC staff had faced kidnappings and physical threats due to their work.
“I told you about the attempted murder about six months ago. One of our staff members in Kano had his child kidnapped because he was doing his job. Fortunately, the child escaped,” she revealed.
“For me, I have two policemen living in my house 24/7 in Abuja and Lagos. I don’t have a life. I can’t go anywhere without police escorts. That’s not my way of living, but I don’t have a choice because we must save our country. Nonetheless, I also use common sense.”
Akunyili’s Legacy and the Fight Against Fake Drugs
The dangers Prof. Adeyeye faces are similar to those encountered by Prof. Dora Akunyili, who served as NAFDAC’s Director-General from 2001 to 2009. Akunyili became a target of drug cartels due to her relentless war against counterfeit drugs.
Akunyili was motivated by personal tragedy—her sister’s death after receiving fake insulin. Her efforts led to the shutdown of open-air drug markets and the seizure of counterfeit pharmaceuticals. These actions provoked multiple threats, including an assassination attempt in 2003.
Like Akunyili, Prof. Adeyeye remains steadfast in her mission to eliminate fake drugs despite the risks involved.
She stressed the need for harsher penalties, including capital punishment, for those responsible for producing and selling counterfeit drugs that endanger lives.
Prof. Adeyeye urged the Nigerian government to implement stricter laws to combat the life-threatening trade in fake pharmaceuticals.
NAFDAC continues to strengthen its enforcement efforts nationwide to safeguard public health and restore trust in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry.
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