The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, destroyed expired, unregistered, counterfeit, and smuggled products valued at ₦10,991,458,374.60.
The destroyed items, collected from five states in the Southwest Zone (excluding Lagos) and Kwara State in the North Central Zone due to its proximity, were incinerated in Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the South West Zone Director, Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, stated that the exercise aims to reassure the public that confiscated products are not diverted for personal use but destroyed under strict supervision.
She added that the disposal was conducted at an approved dumpsite provided by the Oyo State government to minimize environmental pollution.
The destruction exercise was witnessed by key stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Oyo State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Akin Fagbemi, officials from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other agencies.
The DG said: ‘’The destruction exercise taking place today in Ibadan is a key component of the functions of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, charged with the responsibility for investigation of unwholesome, substandard, fake and counterfeit regulated products and to mop them from circulation so as safeguard the health of the citizens.
‘’The effort of ridding the system of unwholesome and substandard regulated products from circulation is being supported by sister agencies represented here among whom are; the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Police (NP), the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
‘’The items for destruction here today are collected from the five states of the South West Zone (excluding Lagos) of the Agency and Kwara state of the North Central Zone (because of proximity) to the Southwest zone.
‘’These items include expired products that were voluntarily forfeited by those in the drug distribution channel, unregistered and unwholesome products that were raided from different outlets and warehouses, fake and counterfeit as well as unregistered imported products smuggled into the country. The worth of what is being destroyed today is estimated to ₦10, 991, 458, 374.60”.
The DG however called on Nigerians to join hands to keep Nigeria safe and free from unwholesome, substandard, fake, and counterfeit medicinal and other Regulated products.
‘’As a matter of fact, every Nigerian is expected to be an ambassador of NAFDAC, joining hands with the Agency in the bid to sanitize the Food and Drug sector in Nigeria.” (Nation)