The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reported that five of its officials were injured during an enforcement operation at the Lagos Trade Fair Market.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, disclosed this on Saturday at a news conference in Lagos, adding that 10 operational vehicles worth billions of naira were also destroyed during the attack.
She said the attack on NAFDAC officials on October 30 was premeditated, targeting them while performing their duties. Adeyeye, represented by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, explained that the officials narrowly escaped serious harm thanks to the presence of security and military personnel during the operation.
The officials had seized four trucks of counterfeit and unwholesome products valued at N500 million before the attackers, described as armed mercenaries, stormed the area with the intent to cause harm. The confiscated items violate the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap. C.34 LFN 2004.
“As part of our mandate to safeguard public health, NAFDAC officials visited the Trade Fair Complex based on credible intelligence about the sale and distribution of fake, substandard, and unwholesome products,” Adeyeye said.
She added that the operation, led by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, initially proceeded peacefully until the armed attackers arrived, demanding the director’s identity and subsequently destroying 20 operational vehicles belonging to NAFDAC and other security agencies, valued at over N25 billion.
“A reliable intelligence report indicates that the attack was planned and a calculated attempt to assassinate the Director (I&E) and other NAFDAC staff,” she said.
Adeyeye clarified that the military and other security personnel present were part of the federal task force supporting the operation and were not in the market for combat, contrary to social media claims. She commended the Nigerian Police and Military for their professionalism, noting their efforts helped ensure the safety of NAFDAC officials.
The Director-General reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of all regulated products in Nigeria and stated that the agency would not be deterred from its mandate. She assured that all perpetrators of the attack would face the full weight of the law.
