Crime/Social Justice
NAFDAC condemns violent attack on enforcement officials at Lagos trade fair
Written By: Admin
04 Nov 2025 03:58 PM
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a strong condemnation of a violent attack on its officials during an enforcement operation at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, October 30, 2025, disrupted the agency’s efforts to curb the sale and distribution of fake, substandard, and unwholesome regulated products.
According to a press release signed by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General/CEO of NAFDAC, the operation was led by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) and Chairman of the Federal Task Force.
The exercise began peacefully but was abruptly interrupted by a group of armed thugs who demanded the identity of the Director and proceeded to vandalize approximately ten operational vehicles belonging to NAFDAC and other security agencies.
Credible intelligence suggests the assault was premeditated, with the intent to harm senior NAFDAC officials, including the Director (I&E).
Reports indicate that the market’s Chief Security Officer allegedly ordered cluster leaders to lock the gates, trapping the team and hindering their safe exit.
At the time of the attack, several cartons of counterfeit, banned, and unwholesome products had already been discovered and confiscated under the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C.34 LFN 2004.
NAFDAC commended the professionalism and restraint displayed by the Nigerian Police and Military personnel, whose swift intervention ensured the safety of all officers on duty.
Despite the chaos, the agency reiterated its unwavering commitment to protecting the health of Nigerians by ensuring only safe, quality, and effective products are available in the country.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that all individuals involved in this criminal act will be brought to justice.
“NAFDAC will not be intimidated or deterred from fulfilling its mandate of safeguarding the health of the nation,” she affirmed.
The agency has vowed to continue its enforcement operations, undeterred by the violent resistance, as it seeks to eliminate counterfeit and unsafe products from the market, even as authorities are investigating the incident, with further updates expected as the situation develops.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, October 30, 2025, disrupted the agency’s efforts to curb the sale and distribution of fake, substandard, and unwholesome regulated products.
According to a press release signed by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General/CEO of NAFDAC, the operation was led by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) and Chairman of the Federal Task Force.
The exercise began peacefully but was abruptly interrupted by a group of armed thugs who demanded the identity of the Director and proceeded to vandalize approximately ten operational vehicles belonging to NAFDAC and other security agencies.
Credible intelligence suggests the assault was premeditated, with the intent to harm senior NAFDAC officials, including the Director (I&E).
Reports indicate that the market’s Chief Security Officer allegedly ordered cluster leaders to lock the gates, trapping the team and hindering their safe exit.
At the time of the attack, several cartons of counterfeit, banned, and unwholesome products had already been discovered and confiscated under the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C.34 LFN 2004.
NAFDAC commended the professionalism and restraint displayed by the Nigerian Police and Military personnel, whose swift intervention ensured the safety of all officers on duty.
Despite the chaos, the agency reiterated its unwavering commitment to protecting the health of Nigerians by ensuring only safe, quality, and effective products are available in the country.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that all individuals involved in this criminal act will be brought to justice.
“NAFDAC will not be intimidated or deterred from fulfilling its mandate of safeguarding the health of the nation,” she affirmed.
The agency has vowed to continue its enforcement operations, undeterred by the violent resistance, as it seeks to eliminate counterfeit and unsafe products from the market, even as authorities are investigating the incident, with further updates expected as the situation develops.
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