The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its crackdown on counterfeit drugs, seizing 50 trailer loads of fake and substandard medications at the drug market near Niger Bridge Head, Onitsha, Anambra State.
As part of its ongoing nationwide campaign to safeguard public health, the agency, which has been stationed at the Onitsha bridgehead drug market since February 10, 2025, also uncovered a cache of dangerous weapons, including two rifles, live cartridges, and a machete, hidden by unidentified individuals.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, NAFDAC's Director-General, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, described the discovery as alarming. She suspected that the concealed weapons might have been intended for an assassination attempt on Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the agency’s South-East Director, who regularly debriefs officials at that particular location.
Iluyomade, who represented Adeyeye during the briefing, further disclosed that security operatives thwarted two break-in attempts at the storage facilities holding the seized drugs. Two suspects were arrested in connection with these incidents and are currently providing useful information to authorities.
Adeyeye reassured the public that the enforcement exercise would not be halted abruptly, emphasizing that it was not aimed at any particular individual or group but was a national mission to rid markets of harmful drugs.
"Thanks to the swift intervention of our security team, we recovered daggers, machetes, rifles, and other weapons. Every night, we’ve arrested individuals attempting to breach the storage area. They are now in custody and assisting with investigations," she stated.
Despite challenges, she commended the leadership of the market for their cooperation and announced that some sections of the market would reopen this week as the agency transitions to the next phase of the operation.
In a major win for public health, NAFDAC confirmed that all 50 trailer loads of counterfeit and substandard drugs seized from the market have been safely relocated for further action.
This latest operation underscores NAFDAC’s commitment to eliminating fake drugs from circulation and ensuring that Nigerians have access to only safe and approved medications.
