The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted 16 containers loaded with substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products, as well as unwholesome tomato paste, at the Onne Port in Port Harcourt.
The seized consignment, with an estimated street value of N20.5 billion includes 11 containers of unregistered and banned drugs and four containers of toxic tomato paste, all illegally imported into Nigeria.
The operation was made possible through collaborative efforts between NAFDAC and the Nigeria Customs Service, which formally handed over the intercepted goods to Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency’s director-general, over the weekend.
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Among the fake pharmaceuticals were 1.3 million bottles of codeine syrup, 12.6 million tablets of tramadol, and 9.3 million falsified branded diclofenac tablets, all potent, prescription-only medications with a high potential for abuse and serious health consequences. Also seized were 280 packs of Hyergra tablets, a counterfeit version of sildenafil citrate used for managing erectile dysfunction.
The tomato paste, described by NAFDAC as unwholesome and unregistered, was found to contain hazardous adulterants that pose serious risks such as acute food poisoning, gastrointestinal illness, and long-term organ damage.
Adeyeye, at the handover event, praised the synergy between NAFDAC and the Customs Service, noting that such institutional collaboration is key to protecting Nigerians from harmful products.
“We are sending a clear message to these unscrupulous merchants that under our watch, fake and substandard food and drug products will not be allowed to reach our markets. Their attempts, threats, and even intimidation of our staff will continue to fail,” she said.
She called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and support the agency’s efforts by reporting suspected cases of counterfeit product importation, manufacture, or sale through NAFDAC’s nationwide offices and official social media platforms.
Highlighting the health dangers associated with these products, Adeyeye warned that consuming expired or falsified drugs and foods could lead to cancer risks, chronic diseases, allergic reactions, cognitive disruption, and even death, especially when toxic substances or heavy metals are involved.
The director-general reiterated NAFDAC’s commitment to innovative strategies and stronger enforcement to combat the menace of fake products in Nigeria’s markets. She emphasized that safeguarding the nation’s health is a collective responsibility that goes beyond the agency’s reach alone.
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“The threat is real, but our resolve is stronger. God and the people of Nigeria are on our side,” Adeyeye declared.
The interception comes at a time of increasing concern about the proliferation of fake medicines and adulterated food products across Nigeria. Public health experts have repeatedly warned about the devastating consequences of unchecked distribution of such items, especially among vulnerable populations.
NAFDAC says it will continue to strengthen port surveillance, increase stakeholder engagement, and expand its crackdown on syndicates involved in the illicit trade.
