In a renewed demonstration of inter-agency synergy aimed at safeguarding public health, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has officially taken possession of a large consignment of smuggled and unregistered pharmaceutical products intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service.
The handover took place under the authority of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service, which had earlier impounded the illicit drugs during routine anti-smuggling operations. The intercepted consignment, reportedly comprising various categories of unauthorized medications, was identified as a public health risk due to its unverified origins and lack of regulatory approval.
Speaking during the handover, officials from both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to a zero-tolerance stance on the circulation of fake, substandard, and unregistered drugs across Nigeria. NAFDAC emphasized that the agency would immediately commence comprehensive investigations and laboratory analyses of the seized products to determine their composition and potential health hazards.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, through her representative, lauded the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and timely intervention, which prevented the illicit items from making their way into Nigerian markets and endangering consumers.
This collaborative effort, both agencies noted, is part of a broader national strategy to clamp down on the illegal drug trade and reinforce regulatory oversight at Nigeria’s borders and ports of entry. As the fight against counterfeit pharmaceuticals intensifies, the public is being urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious drug-related activities to appropriate authorities.
With rising concerns over the influx of substandard medical products in the region, this latest seizure represents a significant victory in the ongoing battle to protect the lives and wellbeing of Nigerians through strengthened institutional cooperation and border security.
