EMAMEH GABRIEL
Last week was a period of sober reflection for Nigerians. We are living in perilous times and at the mercy of dangerous business men who profit from our pains. NAFDAC delivered a shocking revelation, one that shook the nation to its core, exposing a reality many could scarcely have imagined.
It is a trade that does not discriminate, preying on the rich and the poor, the young and the old, the healthy and the ailing. It is a trade that deals in death, cloaked in the guise of life saving medicines and everyday consumables. On Friday March 21, 2025, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) struck a blow against this hydra headed monster, destroying counterfeit, substandard, and fake pharmaceutical products worth a staggering one trillion naira. But is this victory a drop in the ocean, or a tide that will finally turn the ship of Nigeria’s health and safety around?
The figures are not just alarming; they are apocalyptic. One trillion naira worth of dangerous, harmful products, pushed into the open market from the shadows, infiltrating homes, hospitals, and supermarkets. From Lagos to Aba, and Onitsha, now dubbed the headquarters of fake and counterfeit drugs in Africa, the scale of this menace paints a picture of the audacity of those who profit from the suffering of others. These are not mere merchants; they are modern day pirates, sailing the high seas of illegality, their cargo a toxic cocktail of greed and death.
The operation to dismantle this daredevil empire was nothing short of a Herculean task. In Onitsha, where the market is the most infamous, the operation was almost hijacked by the very forces that should be fighting against it-politicians and sponsored media, weaving a web of lies to paint these criminals as victims. It is a dangerous game, where the lines between right and wrong are blurred, and the stakes are nothing less than the lives of millions.
NAFDAC’s Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, has become a modern day David, slinging stones at the Goliath of counterfeit drugs. Her resolve is reminiscent of the legendary Prof. Dora Akinyuli, who once stood in the same arena, battling the same demons, and nearly paid the ultimate price. But this fight is not just about drugs; it is about the very fabric of Nigerian society. It is about the food we eat, the water we drink, and the beverages we consume. It is about the beer that flows freely in our bars, unchecked and unmonitored, despite its high rate of consumption. It is about the fake products that litter the shelves of even the most reputable supermarkets, masquerading as genuine.
The destruction of these counterfeit goods is a symbolic act, a burning of the bridges that connect us to a future of disease and death. Analgin, Tramadol 225mg, and other banned substances were among the haul, their very names a litany of despair. These are not just drugs; they are weapons of mass destruction, silently killing Nigerians, one pill, one sip, one bite at a time. From heart disease to kidney failure, the toll of these products is immeasurable, a silent epidemic that claims lives without a whisper.
Yet, amidst the gloom, there is a glimmer of hope. NAFDAC’s recent efforts are a beacon, the confidence that the fight is not yet lost. The agency’s commitment to ensuring that food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices are safe, wholesome, and effective is a rallying cry for all Nigerians. It is a call to arms, a plea for vigilance. When you see something, say something, this the echoes of and the sentiments of a nation tired of being held hostage by the merchants of death.
But the battle is far from over. The cartels that control this trade are powerful, their reach extending into the highest echelons of society. They are the untouchables, the billionaires of deceit, their wealth built on the graves of the innocent. To take them on is to walk a tightrope, where one misstep could mean the difference between life and death.
As the flames consumed the counterfeit goods in Anambra, they also illuminated the path forward. The fight against fake drugs and substandard products is not just NAFDAC’s fight; it is Nigeria’s fight. It is a fight for our future, for our children, for our very survival. It is a fight that requires the collective effort of every Nigerian, from the market woman in Aba to the executive in Lagos. It is a fight we cannot afford to lose.
Every day, Nigerians wake up to a reality where the very things meant to sustain life could end it. A mother buys paracetamol for her feverish child, only to discover it is chalk wrapped in foil. A young man drinks a bottle of beer, unaware it is laced with harmful chemicals. A family prepares a meal with cooking oil, not knowing it is a concoction of toxins. These are not hypothetical scenarios; they are the lived experiences of millions. The human cost of this trade is immeasurable. Hospitals are filled with patients suffering from mysterious ailments, their bodies ravaged by the very substances they trusted to heal them. Kidney failure, liver damage, and heart disease are on the rise, their roots traced back to the consumption of fake and substandard products. The tragedy is that many of these deaths go unnoticed, their causes buried under the weight of ignorance and apathy.
The counterfeit trade is not the work of petty criminals; it is a well oiled machine, operated by cartels with deep pockets and deeper connections. These are not just businessmen; they are predators, feeding on the vulnerability of a nation. Their operations are sophisticated, their networks spanning borders, their influence reaching into the corridors of power. To confront these cartels is to confront a hydra; cut off one head, and two more grow in its place. The recent destruction of counterfeit goods is a significant blow, but it is only a fraction of what is out there. The cartels will regroup, they will adapt, and they will continue their trade unless they are stopped for good.
The fight against counterfeit and substandard products cannot be left to NAFDAC alone. It requires the collective effort of every Nigerian. Consumers must be vigilant, questioning the authenticity of the products they buy. Retailers must ensure their shelves are free of fake goods. Policymakers must enact and enforce laws that deter this trade. And the media must continue to shine a light on this issue, holding those responsible accountable. NAFDAC has shown that it is possible to make a difference. The agency’s recent operations are evidence of what can be achieved with determination and courage.
Nigeria is at a crossroads. The destruction of one trillion naira worth of fake drugs is a victory, but it is also a reminder of the scale of the problem. The counterfeit trade is a cancer, eating away at the fabric of our society. It is a threat to our health, our economy, and our future. But there is hope. With the right leadership, the right policies, and the right attitude, we can win this fight. We must stand together, united in our resolve to rid our nation of this menace. The time for action is now. The stakes are too high, and the cost of inaction is too great.
As the flames consumed the counterfeit goods in Anambra, they also lit a fire in the hearts of Nigerians. A fire that says enough is enough. A fire that says we will not be held hostage by the merchants of death. A fire that says we will fight for our future, and we will win. Nigeria’s silent killers must be stopped. What should we say to Prof. Mojisola? Give her the rose she deserves!
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