The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it seized and destroyed fake and unwholesome products worth more than N5.3bn in a single week.
The agency’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Christiana Obiazikwor, gave the figures on Friday. The operations covered counterfeit alcoholic drinks, repackaged goods, drugs, chemicals, tomato paste and biscuits.
Lagos Trade Fair Raid
On October 13, operatives seized suspected fake and illegally brewed alcoholic drinks worth N2bn at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex. They found more than 20 illegal stores at Zamfara Plaza, inside the complex.
Traders there allegedly faked popular drink brands and relabelled expired drinks. Others stockpiled banned imported products. Officials arrested two suspects and carted away the goods.
Fake Drinks Uncovered in Aba
In Aba, Abia State, NAFDAC raided five shops at Old Court Road Market. The agency seized suspected fake alcoholic drinks and packaging materials worth over N700m. They included counterfeit labels, corks, packs and outer boxes carrying well-known brand names.
Traders resisted the officers and slowed the removal of the items. The shop owners were absent, so the agency placed the premises on hold to protect the goods left behind.
Another discovery followed on October 15. Acting on a tip-off, officials reached a suspected counterfeiting site at No. 25 Omenazu Street, Aba. The agency says the site made spirits and herbal liqueurs in unhygienic conditions.
The operator fled and left his car behind. Inside, officers found labels and products named Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky, plus empty bottles. They also found a 200-litre drum of liquid and a product called Café Rum Whisky.
The site held more items too. These included drums of ethanol, buckets, pieces of tree bark, corks, mixing tanks, dirty sieves, sealing machines and branded bottles. NAFDAC valued the materials and the facility at over N500m.
N2.6bn Goods Destroyed in Port Harcourt
On Friday, NAFDAC destroyed goods worth N2.6bn in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. They included drugs, chemicals, tomato paste, biscuits and other items it called unwholesome. The Nigeria Customs Service had seized them at Onne Port between 2025 and 2026.
Dr Martins Iluyomade, who chairs the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, spoke at the site. He represented NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye. He said the exercise showed how well NAFDAC and Customs work together. The process began in 2025, and both agencies have signed memoranda of understanding.
He said this was only the first phase. More containers are still at the port, and he urged Customs to release them quickly. He also warned agencies against rivalry in the fight against counterfeits.
Superintendent of Customs Elizabeth Abosede, of the Area II Command, praised NAFDAC for the exercise. Rita Chukwuma, deputy to South-South Zonal Director Chukwuma Oligbu, said the aim is to rid communities of fake and substandard products.
Health Risks
Public health expert Olusoji Aramide warned that adulterated alcohol can expose drinkers to harmful substances. He said fake or substandard medicines may carry wrong ingredients, too little active ingredient or contaminants. That can weaken treatment and put patients at risk.
He added that counterfeit packaging can make products look genuine. It can also hide their source, expiry dates and contents.
NAFDAC urged Nigerians to stay alert and report illegal manufacturing, repackaging and sales to the agency.
