…Seeks Death Penalty for Fake Drug Peddlers
…Says Agency Seized Over N1 Trillion Worth of Expired Drugs
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has raised concerns over threats to her life and the safety of her staff, calling on the authorities to provide greater protection as they intensify their fight against counterfeit and substandard drugs.
Prof. Adeyeye, who spoke during a State House briefing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, also advocated for the death penalty for individuals involved in the manufacturing and distribution of fake pharmaceuticals.
Over N1 Trillion Worth of Illicit Drugs Seized
She revealed that NAFDAC had confiscated expired and counterfeit drugs valued at over N1 trillion in a massive operation targeting major drug markets across Nigeria. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of 87 truckloads of substandard medical products, including:
- Expired antiretroviral drugs donated by USAID and UNFPA
- Compromised male and female condoms
- Other banned pharmaceutical items
According to the NAFDAC DG, the operation, the largest in the agency’s history, was carried out in:
- Ariaria and Eziukwu Markets, Aba (Abia State)
- Bridge Head Market, Onitsha (Anambra State)
- Idumota Drug Market, Lagos State
She added that the estimated value of the seized drugs could exceed N1 trillion upon further assessment.
Threats, Kidnapping, and Constant Police Protection
Prof. Adeyeye disclosed that her life has been under constant threat due to her agency’s efforts to rid the country of fake drugs.
“I told you about the attempted murder six months ago. One of our staff members in Kano had his child kidnapped because he was doing his job. Fortunately, the child managed to escape,” she recounted.
“For me, I have two policemen living in my house 24/7 in Abuja and Lagos. I don’t have a life. I can’t go anywhere without police escorts. That’s not how I like to live, but I don’t have a choice because we must save our country. Nonetheless, I also use common sense.”
Echoes of Dora Akunyili’s Legacy
The threats facing Prof. Adeyeye mirror those encountered by Prof. Dora Akunyili, the late former NAFDAC DG who waged a relentless war against counterfeit drugs from 2001 to 2009.
Akunyili’s battle was personal—she lost her sister to fake insulin. Her efforts led to the shutdown of several open-air drug markets and the seizure of counterfeit medicines. However, her work attracted severe threats, including an assassination attempt in 2003.
Like Akunyili, Prof. Adeyeye remains undeterred, urging the Nigerian government to impose stricter penalties, including capital punishment, for those endangering lives through fake drugs.
NAFDAC’s Renewed Commitment
Despite the dangers, NAFDAC continues to intensify its enforcement actions nationwide to restore confidence in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry and protect public health.