The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed seized products valued at ₦2.6 billion in Rivers State, including fake drugs, expired goods and other items reported to be unsafe for use or consumption.

The destruction forms part of a wider enforcement effort against fake, expired and substandard products. According to the supplied report, the affected consignments were seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Onne Port between 2025 and 2026.

The exercise took place at the Rivers State Waste Management Agency dumpsite along Oyigbo Expressway, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.

Key Takeaways

• ₦2.6 billion in seized products: NAFDAC reportedly destroyed goods valued at this amount in Rivers State.
• Products involved: The items included medicines, chemicals, tomato paste, biscuits and other consumer goods.
• Onne Port seizures: The consignments were reportedly intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service between 2025 and 2026.
• Wider enforcement campaign: The exercise was described as part of a nationwide crackdown involving products valued at more than ₦5.3 billion.
• Public cooperation: NAFDAC urged Nigerians to report suspected fake products through official channels instead of relying solely on social media posts.

NAFDAC Destroys Seized Goods in Rivers State

The destruction exercise was carried out at the Rivers State Waste Management Agency dumpsite in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt. The goods reportedly included medicines, chemicals, tomato paste, biscuits and other consumer products considered unsafe or unsuitable for use or consumption.

The operation followed seizures made by the Nigeria Customs Service at Onne Port. NAFDAC’s involvement reflects the agency’s regulatory role in addressing fake, expired and substandard products within its area of responsibility.

The supplied report also puts the value of products involved in the wider nationwide enforcement exercise at more than ₦5.3 billion. The period covered by that larger figure and its relationship to the Rivers State operation should be confirmed against the agency’s official records.

NAFDAC Says More Seized Products May Be Destroyed

Speaking during the exercise, NAFDAC Director-General Professor Mojisola Adeyeye was represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, who also chairs the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods.

Iluyomade described the destruction as the first phase of the exercise and said more seized goods were expected to be removed from the port for destruction.

He explained that preparations had taken almost two weeks and expressed hope that improved cooperation among the agencies involved would make future operations faster.

The NAFDAC official also commended the Nigeria Customs Service for intercepting the consignments and urged the service to release other seized goods for destruction without unnecessary delays.

NAFDAC Links Fake Products to Public Safety

Iluyomade said the campaign against fake products was an important part of national security, warning that unsafe food and poor-quality medicines could expose people to serious risks.

He emphasised that protecting the public required cooperation between government agencies and the wider community.

“No single agency can tackle the menace of insecurity alone. When people cannot access safe medicines or eat good food, they are insecure,”

— Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, as reported in the supplied article.

The statement highlights the connection between product safety and public welfare. Medicines that do not meet appropriate standards and food products that are expired or otherwise unsafe can put consumers at risk.

The destruction of seized goods is one part of enforcement. Regulatory oversight, border inspections, cooperation between agencies and public reporting can also help authorities identify suspected violations and prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers.

NAFDAC Urges Nigerians to Report Suspected Fake Products

Iluyomade urged members of the public to report suspected fake products through NAFDAC’s official channels, including its state offices and the contact information published on the agency’s website.

He also advised Nigerians against rushing to publish allegations about suspected fake products on social media before notifying the agency.

According to the supplied report, Iluyomade warned that public posts could alert those responsible and give them time to hide the products before enforcement officers arrived.

His advice places emphasis on reporting information directly to the relevant authorities so that suspected products can be assessed and appropriate action considered.

Consumers who suspect that a medicine, food product or other regulated item is fake should use NAFDAC’s official reporting channels and provide as much accurate information as possible. Suspicions should not automatically be treated as confirmed findings until the product has been assessed.

NAFDAC Vows to Continue Enforcement

Iluyomade warned manufacturers and traders involved in producing or selling fake products that the agency would continue efforts to bring offenders to justice.

The reported destruction at Onne Port forms part of a broader effort to address products considered unsafe, expired, counterfeit or substandard. The agency’s stated approach also depends on cooperation with Customs and the public.

Further information about additional consignments, the nationwide value of products involved and subsequent enforcement actions would help establish the full scale of the campaign.

For consumers, the key message is to remain cautious when purchasing medicines and food products, use reliable sources and report suspected violations through official channels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What did NAFDAC destroy in Rivers State?

According to the supplied report, NAFDAC destroyed seized goods valued at ₦2.6 billion, including medicines, chemicals, tomato paste, biscuits and other products considered unsafe for use or consumption.

2. Where were the products destroyed?

The destruction took place at the Rivers State Waste Management Agency dumpsite along Oyigbo Expressway, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.

3. Where were the products seized?

The report says the Nigeria Customs Service seized the consignments at Onne Port between 2025 and 2026.

4. Who represented the NAFDAC Director-General during the exercise?

The supplied report identifies Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement and chairman of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, as the representative.

5. Why did NAFDAC destroy the products?

The goods were reportedly destroyed because they included fake drugs, expired goods and other products considered unsafe or unsuitable for use or consumption.

6. What did NAFDAC advise Nigerians to do about suspected fake products?

The agency urged the public to report suspected products through its official channels, including its state offices and contact details published on its website.

7. Why did the NAFDAC official caution against posting suspected fake products on social media?

According to the supplied report, Iluyomade said public posts could alert those responsible and give them time to hide the products before enforcement officers arrived.

8. Will NAFDAC destroy more seized products?

Iluyomade reportedly said the exercise was the first phase and that more seized goods were expected to be removed from the port for destruction. The timing and scale of any further operation should be confirmed through official updates.