NAFDAC Seizes ₦3bn Worth of Fake Malaria Drugs, Cosmetics in Lagos
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated more than 10 million doses of counterfeit malaria medicines and cosmetic products valued at approximately ₦3 billion at the Trade Fair Market in Lagos.

The seizure followed a targeted enforcement operation by the agency, triggered by credible intelligence received on February 3 regarding the storage and distribution of fake pharmaceutical products in the area.

Speaking to journalists on Monday at NAFDAC’s office in Apapa, Lagos, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, said the operation uncovered large quantities of counterfeit and banned medicines hidden inside a three-storey building disguised as a spare parts warehouse.

According to Iluyomade, the fake products included anti-malaria drugs, cerebral malaria injections, antibiotics, as well as Postinor and Analgin—medicines that have been banned in Nigeria for nearly 15 years.

He disclosed that eight truckloads of counterfeit drugs and cosmetic products were evacuated from the premises, describing the discovery as one of NAFDAC’s most significant breakthroughs in recent times.

“What we found in that warehouse is alarming. Life-saving medicines and long-banned products were stored in massive quantities in a location you would never expect,” Iluyomade said.

The NAFDAC director confirmed that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the operation, while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate behind the illegal trade.

He further revealed that many of the seized drugs were expertly cloned, making it difficult even for authorised manufacturers to distinguish between genuine and fake products.

“These counterfeit drugs are extremely dangerous. If they had made their way into circulation, they could have claimed the lives of up to three million Nigerians,” he warned.

Iluyomade assured the public that NAFDAC, under the leadership of its Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, remains committed to intensifying enforcement actions nationwide to eliminate counterfeit, substandard, and banned products from the market and safeguard public health.