The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has condemned a violent attack on its officials during an enforcement operation at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State. The incident occurred on Thursday, October 30, when the agency carried out a raid aimed at stopping the sale and circulation of fake and unwholesome products.
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According to the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the exercise began peacefully before it turned violent as traders allegedly brought in armed thugs to resist the officials. The attackers disrupted the operation, damaged property, and created chaos in an attempt to stop the team from completing their mission.
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Before the assault, NAFDAC officers had already seized several cartons of fake and banned products found to be in violation of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act. The agency reported that about ten vehicles belonging to NAFDAC and its security partners were vandalized, with losses estimated at over ₦25 billion.
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Adeyeye explained that this was not the first time such an attack had occurred, recalling a similar violent incident in 2022 that left one of their officers injured and forced to resign. She said intelligence gathered earlier had warned of a possible plot to disrupt enforcement activities at the market.
Despite the attack, NAFDAC officials managed to evacuate four truckloads of counterfeit goods before the situation escalated, although several other seized items had to be left behind for safety reasons. The intervention of the police and military prevented further damage and ensured no lives were lost.
The agency maintained that it will not be deterred by threats or violence, stressing its commitment to protecting Nigerians from harmful and counterfeit products. Adeyeye reaffirmed that NAFDAC will continue its operations across the country until fake drugs and unsafe foods are completely eradicated from the market.
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