NAFDAC expresses concern over the rising rate of smuggling activities along Nigeria’s land borders, warning that such illegal operations not only undermine government policies but also pose serious health risks to consumers
KaNo—
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its crackdown on smuggling and counterfeit products.
It has intercepted large consignments of illegally imported vegetable oil and soap, while also uncovering a massive warehouse stocked with fake and banned medicines in Lagos.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, disclosed that the seizures were part of ongoing efforts to curb economic sabotage, protect public health, and safeguard Nigeria’s economy.
According to him, the tankers originated from Ghana and had altered registration numbers in a bid to evade detection by authorities.
He explained that investigations were ongoing to determine the exact contents of the tankers and their estimated street value, noting that smugglers often mislabel or disguise prohibited imports to pass through border routes undetected.
“The smugglers have adopted increasingly sophisticated tactics, including changing vehicle registration numbers and disguising prohibited imports as legitimate cargo,” Iluyomade said.
“Some of these trucks claim to be carrying vegetable oil, but our investigations revealed that they are imported through illegal channels.”he added
In a related development, NAFDAC also seized a truckload of soap comprising 40,000 cartons, with an estimated street value of ₦500 million.
The agency noted that the products were similarly smuggled into the country, bypassing official inspection and regulatory procedures.
“Smuggled goods often bypass regulatory inspections and certification processes, making them potentially dangerous for public consumption,” he said.
“NAFDAC remains committed to ensuring that only safe and approved products are available in the Nigerian market.”he added
He further explained that certain imported goods, including vegetable oil, are listed among restricted items by the federal government as part of efforts to encourage local production, boost industrial growth, and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.
As part of the enforcement operation, five individuals were arrested in connection with the seizures and are currently in custody undergoing further investigation.
Iluyomade stated that the agency would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to strengthen surveillance and enforcement along border corridors.
He also reiterated a government directive requiring that trucks transporting edible oils must be clearly marked and dedicated solely for that purpose.
According to him, enforcement of the directive has commenced, warning that any truck found violating the regulation would be impounded.
Beyond smuggling, NAFDAC has also recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against counterfeit medicines, following the discovery of what it described as one of the worst fake drug operations in recent years.
Earlier in April 2026, Iluyomade, who also chairs the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products, led a team that uncovered multiple warehouse buildings in the Trade Fair–Navy area of Lagos used for storing counterfeit and banned drugs.
The discovery, he said, was based on intelligence gathered during a training meeting held on February 3, which pointed to suspicious activities in the area.
“Acting on the information, our team visited the location and found several warehouse structures built like residential houses but used solely for storage,” he explained.
“The area is largely deserted, which likely enabled the operators to carry out their activities without detection.”he added
Iluyomade described the discovery as alarming, warning that the seized drugs posed a grave threat to public health.
“What we found should make every Nigerian concerned. These were not just fake vitamins; they included life-saving medicines such as injections used in treating severe malaria,” he said.
“Using fake injections in critical situations can effectively become a death sentence.”
According to NAFDAC, the anti-malarial injections alone could have endangered more than three million lives, while the total volume of fake and substandard drugs recovered exceeded 10 million doses.
Iluyomade noted that the counterfeit operation appeared to be part of an international syndicate, involving collaborators both within and outside Nigeria.
“These criminals are highly organised. They clone original products by replicating genuine samples abroad and reintroducing them into the Nigerian market,” he said. “This is not a localised problem; it is a complex network of organised crime.”
He further warned that Nigeria’s healthcare system is under serious threat from counterfeiters driven solely by profit, regardless of the human cost.
“The country is under siege by individuals who are willing to endanger lives just to make money,” he said. “Their actions not only threaten public health but also damage the reputation of legitimate pharmaceutical companies.”
The NAFDAC director disclosed that some manufacturers had reported the presence of fake versions of their products in circulation for several months.
However, he noted that the criminals often distribute the counterfeit drugs in small quantities to avoid attracting attention.
The agency also advised consumers to verify authentication codes on drug packaging and avoid products sold at suspiciously low prices.
“If a drug is unusually cheap, it is likely too good to be true. It could cost you your life,” Iluyomade warned.
He also called on distributors and stakeholders within the pharmaceutical supply chain to take responsibility by reporting suspicious products, noting that counterfeit drugs cannot enter the market without some level of collaboration.
On the issue of imports, Iluyomade stated that NAFDAC has established agreements with regulatory authorities in countries such as China and India to ensure pre-shipment inspections and laboratory analysis of products destined for Nigeria.
Despite these measures, he said some criminals continue to bypass legitimate channels through false declarations, such as labeling medicines as spare parts, thereby evading detection at entry points.
He stressed that increased vigilance at borders and ports remains critical in combating the influx of fake and smuggled goods into the country.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and ensuring the integrity of regulated products, pledging to sustain its enforcement operations and bring perpetrators to justice.
“These operations send a strong message that Nigeria is not a safe haven for counterfeiters and smugglers,” Iluyomade said. “We will continue to act decisively to protect the lives of Nigerians.”
