As part of efforts to clamp down on the spread of substandard and falsified products in Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service has handed over a large consignment of seized fake drugs and unwholesome food items valued at ₦20.5 billion to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
The consignment, comprising 15 containers of banned pharmaceutical products and adulterated tomato paste, was intercepted at the Onne Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The formal handover took place on Saturday, with the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, receiving the items from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the seizure includes highly addictive and unregistered drugs, alongside substandard consumables. The agency noted that the products posed a significant threat to public health and safety.
Speaking during the handover, Prof. Adeyeye commended the Customs Service for its vigilance and partnership in protecting Nigerians from dangerous products.
“This handover is a powerful statement that under our watch, fake and substandard food and drug products will not be allowed access to our people,” she said.
“Even in the face of threats to our lives and intimidation, our resolve remains firm because we are driven by the urgent need to safeguard the health of our nation.”
She emphasized the risks associated with consuming such products, pointing out that they can lead to food poisoning, chronic illnesses, organ damage, increased cancer risk, and other severe health consequences.
She called on Nigerians to support the agency by reporting any suspected cases of illegal manufacturing, distribution, or sale of fake products through NAFDAC’s nationwide offices or social media channels.
Prof. Adeyeye also stressed the need for stronger institutional cooperation, pledging that NAFDAC would continue to explore strategic partnerships with other agencies and stakeholders to rid the country of harmful products.
“Protecting the health of our citizens is a shared responsibility, and we remain committed to building a safer, healthier Nigeria through collaboration and innovation,” she added.
The Customs Comptroller-General, Adeniyi, assured that the Service would continue to work closely with NAFDAC to detect, intercept, and prevent the circulation of unwholesome goods, noting that the agencies’ synergy is vital in ensuring national safety.
