The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has exposed a major attempt to bring unregistered pharmaceutical products into Nigeria through the use of a fake registration number belonging to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The discovery was announced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, during the official handover of seized narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦53.39 billion to NAFDAC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Apapa Area Command in Lagos.
According to Adeniyi, one of the intercepted shipments contained 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules carrying a fake NAFDAC registration number alongside forged supporting documents intended to make the products appear legally approved for sale in Nigeria.
He explained that although the shipment initially appeared genuine, further verification with NAFDAC confirmed that the medicines had never been registered with the agency.
The Customs boss described the use of counterfeit registration numbers as a deliberate attempt to introduce unapproved medicines into the Nigerian market, warning that such products pose serious health risks to consumers.
Adeniyi said the fake drug discovery formed part of nine major seizures made by the Apapa Area Command through intelligence gathering, cargo scanning, physical inspections, and collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies.
Beyond the fake pharmaceuticals, Customs also intercepted several shipments containing narcotics, expired medicines, and other prohibited pharmaceutical products concealed in containers entering the country. The agency emphasized that the seizures demonstrate its commitment to protecting Nigerians from dangerous and counterfeit products.
The seized narcotic drugs have been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while the expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products were transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and proper disposal. Authorities also pledged to continue strengthening surveillance at the nation’s ports to prevent similar smuggling attempts.
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🇳🇬 The Tori (Pidgin Summary)
Fake NAFDAC Number Dem Carry Smuggle Fake Drugs Enter Nigeria
Nigeria Customs don catch people wey use fake NAFDAC registration number take carry unregistered medicine enter Nigeria. Customs oga Bashir Adeniyi talk say dem discover the fake drugs during inspection for Apapa Port, and NAFDAC later confirm say the medicine no get approval. Dem seize the drugs together with other expired medicines and illegal substances worth over ₦53.39 billion, before handing them over to NAFDAC and NDLEA for further investigation and destruction.
