NAFDAC Destroys ₦985 Million Worth of Fake and Expired Goods in Kano

By Diafa Doubra,

In a sweeping crackdown on counterfeit and expired products, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed substandard goods worth over ₦985 million in Kano State.

The exercise, which took place at a designated dumpsite in the outskirts of Kano metropolis, involved the destruction of fake, expired, and unwholesome products including drugs, beverages, cosmetics, food items, and chemicals. According to NAFDAC, these items were seized during routine surveillance and enforcement operations across the North-West region over several months.

The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented at the event by the North-West Zonal Director, Mr. Shaba Mohammed, emphasized the health risks posed by counterfeit products.

“These products are dangerous to human health and have no place in our markets or homes. What we destroyed today is evidence of NAFDAC’s renewed commitment to protecting public health,” said Mr. Mohammed.

He noted that some of the items were voluntarily submitted by compliant companies during routine facility inspections, while others were confiscated from unscrupulous traders operating illegally.

The destroyed items included:

Expired antibiotics and painkillers
Fake cosmetic creams and skin lightening products
Illicit alcoholic beverages and contaminated food products
Unregistered herbal mixtures with misleading health claims

NAFDAC also used the opportunity to warn the public against purchasing drugs or food items from unverified sources, including open markets and unlicensed vendors.

“Consumers must check for NAFDAC registration numbers and always buy from approved outlets,” Mohammed added.

Security agencies including the Nigeria Police, Civil Defence Corps, and officials from the Kano State Government witnessed the destruction exercise.

The agency reaffirmed its resolve to intensify surveillance, prosecute offenders, and rid Nigeria’s markets of substandard and fake products. It also urged manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to strictly adhere to regulatory standards.