The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has called for the protection of agency staff following rising threats to their lives due to intensified crackdowns on counterfeit drugs.
Speaking at a State House briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Prof. Adeyeye advocated for the death penalty for those involved in the production and sale of fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria.
She revealed that NAFDAC had recently seized illicit pharmaceutical products worth over N1 trillion in a large-scale enforcement operation targeting three major open drug markets:
- Ariaria and Eziukwu Markets (Aba, Abia State)
- Bridge Head Market (Onitsha, Anambra State)
- Idumota Drug Market (Lagos State)
Among the confiscated items were USAID- and UNFPA-donated antiretroviral drugs, male and female condoms, and other compromised medical supplies.
Prof. Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC personnel have faced kidnapping attempts and direct threats due to their work.
“One of our staff members in Kano had his child kidnapped because he was doing his job. Fortunately, the child escaped.”
“For me, I have two policemen living in my house 24/7 in Abuja and Lagos. I can’t go anywhere without police escorts. That’s not my way of living, but I don’t have a choice because we must save our country.”
Her situation mirrors that of Prof. Dora Akunyili, the late NAFDAC DG who survived assassination attempts while leading the fight against counterfeit drugs.
Prof. Adeyeye reiterated the urgent need for harsher penalties, including the death sentence, to deter fake drug syndicates, urging the government to implement stronger laws to safeguard public health.
NAFDAC continues its nationwide crackdown, aiming to protect Nigerians and restore confidence in the country’s pharmaceutical industry.
Verily News
