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The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has sounded the alarm over threats to her life and the safety of agency staff, urging authorities to provide better protection as they continue their dangerous fight against counterfeit drugs.

Speaking at a State House briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Prof. Adeyeye revealed that NAFDAC had recently seized over N1 trillion worth of expired, banned, and substandard drugs in an ongoing crackdown against counterfeit pharmaceutical products. She also called for the death penalty for individuals involved in the production and distribution of fake drugs, describing them as a grave threat to public health.

Massive Drug Seizures and Crackdowns

NAFDAC’s intensified enforcement efforts have led to the confiscation of 87 truckloads of counterfeit and substandard medical products, including:

• Antiretroviral drugs donated by USAID and UNFPA
• Male and female condoms
• Various other compromised medical supplies

The large-scale operation, described as the biggest in NAFDAC’s history, targeted three of Nigeria’s most notorious open drug markets:

1. Ariaria and Eziukwu Markets (Aba, Abia State)
2. Bridge Head Market (Onitsha, Anambra State)
3. Idumota Drug Market (Lagos State)

Prof. Adeyeye estimated that the seized drugs were worth at least N1 trillion, with further assessments likely to reveal an even higher value.

Death Threats and Kidnapping Attempts

The NAFDAC boss recounted multiple instances where her staff faced kidnappings and physical threats due to their work.

“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 disclosed.

Prof. Adeyeye also revealed that she has been forced to live under constant police protection in both Abuja and Lagos.

“I have two policemen stationed in my house 24/7. I don’t have a normal life. I can’t go anywhere without police escorts. That’s not how I want to live, but I have no choice—we must save our country.”

Following in Akunyili’s Footsteps

The threats against Prof. Adeyeye mirror the experiences of Prof. Dora Akunyili, who led NAFDAC from 2001 to 2009 and was known for her relentless fight against fake drugs.

Akunyili’s battle was personal—her sister died after receiving counterfeit insulin. Her reforms led to the closure of open drug markets, the seizure of counterfeit medicines, and multiple threats, including an assassination attempt in 2003.

Like Akunyili, Prof. Adeyeye remains determined to eradicate fake drugs despite the risks. She has urged the Nigerian government to enact stricter laws, including capital punishment, to deter counterfeit drug manufacturers.

“Those who sell fake drugs are murderers. We need stronger laws, including the death penalty, to stop this life-threatening trade.”

NAFDAC’s Commitment to Public Health

NAFDAC continues to intensify its enforcement actions nationwide, working to restore confidence in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry and protect citizens from the dangers of counterfeit medications.

Source: Vanguard