The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed counterfeit, expired, and substandard products valued at over N5 billion in Nasarawa State.
The items, seized from Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger, and Plateau states, were disposed of at the Angwan Rere dumpsite in Lafia.
Speaking during the exercise, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye—represented by the agency’s North-Central Zonal Director, Kenneth Azikiwe—said the fake products were confiscated during routine surveillance operations. She noted that the destruction was necessary to ensure the dangerous items did not find their way back into the market.
The DG listed the products destroyed to include counterfeit drugs, falsified medical devices, unsafe cosmetics, fake detergents, and expired chemicals.
“Some of these products were hoarded, concealed, or even maliciously revalidated after expiry by unscrupulous traders to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians,” Adeyeye said. “Others were damaged or expired items voluntarily submitted to us by responsible business owners.”
She reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring that only safe and quality products are available for public use and urged citizens to report anyone involved in the sale or production of fake or substandard goods.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the state government, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Security and Safety Matters, Usman Baba, commended NAFDAC’s efforts in safeguarding the health of residents and sanitising markets in the state.
