LAGOS, NIGERIA
In a sweeping enforcement operation aimed at safeguarding public health and restoring confidence in consumer goods, operatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have seized more than 10,000 cartons of counterfeit products, including tomato paste and toothpaste, from shops at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
The crackdown, which took place after weeks of surveillance, was carried out by NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, targeting traders involved in the sale and distribution of substandard and falsely-labelled goods. Officials say the confiscated items were smuggled into the country without regulatory approval and failed to meet the agency’s minimum safety standards.
According to agency representatives, the intercepted tomato paste bore fake branding closely resembling popular household names, raising the risk of unsuspecting consumers being exposed to unwholesome and potentially harmful content. Likewise, the seized toothpaste products, mostly imported, were found to contain misleading labels, expired regulatory numbers, and questionable ingredients that violate Nigerian health safety regulations.
KIIN360’s Lagos correspondent reports that the seized goods, which were stored in large quantities in hidden warehouses within the market complex, were intended for mass distribution across states before being intercepted. NAFDAC officials disclosed that the estimated market value of the goods runs into hundreds of millions of naira, underscoring the scale of economic sabotage involved.
The agency has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on the circulation of fake, adulterated, and unregistered products in Nigerian markets, warning traders and importers to steer clear of such illegal activities or risk prosecution. Arrests have already been made in connection with the operation, and investigations are ongoing to trace the broader supply network responsible for the counterfeit products.
NAFDAC further urged consumers to remain vigilant, advising Nigerians to check for product registration numbers and authenticity markings before making purchases. The agency confirmed that the seized items would be destroyed in line with regulatory procedures, and emphasized that routine market raids will continue in Lagos and other parts of the country.
As the country grapples with challenges in product standard enforcement, the latest development sends a strong signal to unscrupulous importers and traders that health and consumer safety can no longer be compromised without consequence.
