Metro

NAFDAC Shuts Over 11,000 Shops Selling Illicit Drugs, Arrests 40 Suspects

Published

1 year ago

February 22, 2025

Editor

…Evacuates 77 Truckloads in Aba, Onitsha, Idumota

…Says Crackdown Aims to Protect Lives, Not Disrupt Trade

…Laments Discovery of USAID-Donated Drugs in Markets

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down over 11,000 drug shops across Aba, Onitsha, and Idumota as part of a nationwide crackdown on illicit drug sales. The agency also arrested 40 suspects linked to the distribution of unregistered and dangerous drugs.

Speaking in Lagos on Saturday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed that over 77 truckloads of counterfeit and illicit drugs had been evacuated—27 from Idumota, 30 from Onitsha, and over 20 from Aba.

She revealed that the operation has so far resulted in the closure of 3,027 shops in Idumota, 4,000 in Onitsha, and another 4,000 in Aba’s Osisioma area, with enforcement still ongoing.

Adeyeye described the discoveries as “mind-blowing,” revealing that the agency found:

Expired drugs with fraudulently altered expiration dates.

Controlled substances like Tramadol and Analgin, which have been banned in Nigeria.

Vaccines and antiretrovirals meant for free distribution, including those donated by USAID, being sold illegally.

Machines used to change drug expiration dates, making expired medicines appear valid until 2028.

Drugs stored in unsanitary locations, including toilets and poorly ventilated warehouses.

She estimated that the value of confiscated drugs runs into trillions of naira.

“We Are Protecting Lives, Not Disrupting Trade”

Addressing concerns from traders, Adeyeye insisted that NAFDAC’s actions were aimed at protecting public health rather than disrupting businesses.

“We are trying to safeguard the future of our young people from harmful drugs. We want to ensure patients recover with genuine medicine and not fake products that worsen their conditions,” she stated.

She also warned Nigerians against purchasing drugs from unauthorized sources:

“If you bought medicine from a street corner, throw it away. Only buy from a reputable pharmacy.”

Adeyeye lamented staff shortages and called for greater government support, revealing that over 1,000 security personnel were involved in the operation—400 in Onitsha, 350 in Aba, and 250 in Idumota.

She urged the federal government to tighten border security, as most of the counterfeit drugs were smuggled into the country.

“Our porous borders are making our job more difficult. We need more manpower to stop these harmful products from entering Nigeria.”

NAFDAC has vowed to expand enforcement to other states and work with sister agencies to ensure compliance.

“This is just the beginning. We will not stop until the menace of substandard and falsified drugs is eradicated from Nigeria,” Adeyeye declared.
(Vanguard)

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.