NAFDAC Intensifies Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs, Discovers Hidden Weapons in Onitsha

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered hidden weapons while raiding the Onitsha drug market in Anambra State. The reported discovery is part of an ongoing clampdown on fake and counterfeit drugs to protect public health. 

During operations on Wednesday, NAFDAC’s security team discovered two rifles, live cartridges, machetes, and a dagger hidden by unidentified individuals.

The Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, expressed shock at the find. “We believe this might have been an assassination attempt on our Southeast Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade,” Adeyeye said. Iluyomade routinely oversees daily debriefings at the exact location of the discovery.

The operation, which began on February 10, 2025, is part of a nationwide effort to dismantle drug cartels and ensure counterfeit drugs are eradicated from the market. The agency also reported foiling two break-in attempts at storage facilities housing seized drugs. Two suspects have been arrested and are cooperating with investigations.

Public Reassurance and Progress

The DG assured the public that the clampdown is not targeted at any specific group but serves the national interest. “With prompt interventions from our security, we recovered these weapons and arrested individuals attempting to breach the market. They are now in custody,” she said. 

Market leaders have cooperated with the agency, earning Adeyeye’s commendation. She revealed that 50 trailer loads of counterfeit drugs have been transported to a secure location for further action. Some sections of the market are expected to reopen this week as the next phase of operations begins.

The crackdown highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring consumer safety and combating counterfeit drugs, a pressing health concern in Nigeria.

However, critics have browbeaten the agency, accusing it of closing entire markets and carrying out ethnic strangulation of the South East region. They claim most of the top rank officers involved, such as the DG and the South East Director are from other ethnic groups.

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