The Lagos Trade Fair Market fell silent as operatives of the National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) swept through in a five-day raid in Lagos.
Gone were the usual shouts of traders and the buzz of bargaining. In their place—shock, whispers.
Over 10,000 cartons of unregistered tomato paste and cosmetics were seized. The products had skipped safety checks.
Creams, soaps, toothpaste, body sprays, and air fresheners—all pulled off shelves before they could harm unsuspecting buyers.
Dr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, didn’t mince words.
“We cannot guarantee the safety of these seized products because they have not undergone any regulatory scrutiny,” he said.
“One way to safeguard public health is to remove harmful products from markets before they can kill unsuspecting Nigerians.”
He added, “Deaths from substandard medicines, cosmetics, and unsafe foods exceed the number of people killed by Boko Haram.”
The Trade Fair Market, a major supply hub, has long been a target for fake goods. This raid exposed just how deep the problem runs.
Fake Goods Look Real, But Kill Quietly
Consumer advocate Mrs. Daniella Imarhiagbe warned that danger hides in plain sight.
“A tube of toothpaste or a tin of tomato paste might look perfectly safe, but you can’t tell just by looking,” she said.
“Counterfeit products are deliberately packaged to appear authentic, making it impossible for the average buyer to detect the danger.”
She explained that contaminated or expired ingredients in tomato paste can cause stomach infections and organ damage.
Trader Mrs. Tayo Oyenuga welcomed the raid. “We traders want a clean market,” she said.
“The people selling fake goods spoil our name and drive away customers.”
She urged NAFDAC to educate traders. “Some small traders don’t even know the goods they buy from middlemen are fake.”
Customs Partnership and Consumer Vigilance
NAFDAC says it’s fighting the problem from all angles. A multi-agency task force is now in place.
“We are working hard to prevent falsified and unregistered items from entering the country,” said Dr. Iluyomade.
“Hence our Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigeria Customs Service.”
Public health expert Dr. Tunde Oladimeji called it “economic terrorism.” He warned of long-term damage to Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“People are dying slowly because harmful substances are entering their bodies in everyday products,” he said.
Mr. Peter Ozigbo, a consumer enthusiast, urged Nigerians to take charge.
“Consumer vigilance is the last line of defense,” he said. “Check NAFDAC registration numbers. If a product looks suspicious, walk away.”
Mr. Innocent Obianwu asked the hard question: “How many people already bought and used them before the seizure?”
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