Metro

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

Published

7 months 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

NDLEA Arrests Lady Smuggling Drugs Inside Butt Pads, Phone Chargers

Published

21 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported two new methods of drug concealment as part of its ongoing efforts to combat trafficking ahead of the festive season, dubbed “Detty December.”

In a post on his X handle on Sunday morning, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi announced the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of their drug consignments.

He shared two videos illustrating the sophisticated concealment methods used by the suspects.

According to Babafemi, one of the videos shows a lady who was caught with drugs hidden inside her butt pad underwear.

The second video reveals a separate seizure where a suspect attempted to smuggle drugs concealed within phone chargers.

“With the spate of ongoing arrests and seizures by @ndlea_nigeria at some major entry points, it’s obvious the race and desperation for Detty December are already in overdrive,” Babafemi wrote.

He urged law-abiding citizens to “stay vigilant and careful.”

Metro

Two Dead, Four Injured In DICON Factory Explosion

Published

1 day ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

Two people, including a military officer, were killed and four others critically injured on Saturday following an explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) factory in the Kurmin Gwari area of Kaduna.

The blast, reportedly from gunpowder used in arms production, occurred during a weekend shift, shaking nearby buildings and sending residents into panic.

Eyewitnesses said the explosion killed the officer and a civilian worker instantly, while four other workers sustained severe injuries.

The injured were first taken to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, before being evacuated by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital for further treatment.

Sympathizers and relatives of the victims thronged the hospital, with many weeping.

DICON management has yet to release an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.

Metro

Police Detain Lagos NURTW Leader For Killing Resident

Published

2 days ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a top official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state, Samsideen Oladiti, over allegations of murder and the brutal assault of a dispatch rider.

It was that gathered that the 55-year-old man, popularly known as ‘Shamelon’, was linked to two violent crimes on Lagos Island; one involving murder and the other, assault which caused harm to the victim.

In a statement by the deputy spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command on X, Babaseyi Oluseyi, said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had responded to a protest at the Sandgrouse Market, where they arrested the suspect in connection with murder and assault.

He wrote, “Following news of the death, sympathisers of the deceased mobilised and staged a violent protest at the suspect’s office in Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island, setting two motorcycles belonging to the suspect ablaze and causing unrest in the area.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, personally led police personnel to the scene.

“He swiftly restored calm, prevented further breakdown of law and order, and assured residents that the suspect is in custody and will be promptly prosecuted after investigations are concluded.”

Oluseyi stated that the NURTW official had been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

He stated, “The suspect is currently in the custody of the SCID, Panti-Yaba, for discreet investigation.”

Explaining the murder and assault, the deputy spokesperson stated, “On 17th September 2025 at about 3:00pm, the suspect allegedly attacked a dispatch rider on Lagos Island, using a helmet and fists to inflict serious bodily injury (on him). The victim (dispatch rider) was rushed to hospital, placed on oxygen, and is currently receiving medical treatment.”

In August, police reported that the suspect had also assaulted a man who later died.

Oluseyi narrated, “On 18th September 2025, at about 11:00 am, another complaint was lodged against the same suspect in connection with an incident that occurred on 28th August 2025.

“During the altercation, the suspect allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike a man on the head and face, inflicting severe injuries. Despite medical intervention, the victim was confirmed dead by a doctor on 17th September 2025. His body has since been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.”

The police appealed to residents, assuring them that justice would be duly served.

She wrote, “The Lagos State Police Command wishes to assure members of the public that justice will be diligently pursued in all the cases against the suspect.

“Jimoh further appeals to residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and not to take the law into their own hands. He enjoins them to cooperate fully with the police in the ongoing investigations.”

Meanwhile, the state chairman of NURTW, Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego has dissociated the union from the actions of Oladiti, stressing that the “NURTW does not condone violence or any unlawful activity.”

Adekunle, in a statement on Friday, noted that while he once trusted Oladiti’s loyalty, the incident had left him “bitter and disappointed.”

He urged security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial probe, assuring that if found guilty, the suspect would also face the union’s internal disciplinary measures after the legal process is concluded.

“I urge law enforcement officers to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation to ensure justice is served.

“Once the legal process is complete, he will also face the union’s internal disciplinary procedures. As I have always stated, the NURTW does not condone violence or any unlawful acts,” Adekunle said.

He warned members of the union against any form of lawlessness, stressing that loyalty or closeness to him would not shield anyone from the consequences of being lawless.