NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Social Media Incitement Against Open Drug Market Crackdown

Professor Mojisola Adeyeye warns against social media incitement

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns over a disturbing trend of misinformation and incitement spreading across social media platforms. The agency recently issued a public alert regarding videos aimed at sabotaging its ongoing nationwide enforcement operation against illegal open drug markets.
According to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency has become aware of viral videos where a popular social media influencer is seen allegedly attempting to stir up resistance among traders at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market in Anambra State. These actions, she noted, pose a serious threat to national security and public health and may constitute a breach of Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act.

Nationwide Drug Market Enforcement Operation
In line with its constitutional mandate to regulate the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, and use of food, drugs, and other related products, NAFDAC launched a sweeping enforcement operation earlier this year. The operation, which took place between February 9 and March 27, 2025, targeted three of the most prominent open drug markets in the country:

• Idumota Market in Lagos State
• Aba Market in Abia State
• Onitsha Bridge Head Market in Anambra State

These markets have long been identified as hubs for the sale of substandard, expired, banned, or counterfeit medicines. NAFDAC's action is a part of the government’s renewed efforts to sanitize Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector and safeguard public health.

Massive Seizure of Illegal and Substandard Drugs Worth Over One Trillion Naira
The scale of the operation was unprecedented. NAFDAC disclosed that during the raids, officials seized a massive quantity of illicit pharmaceutical products, including expired, banned, falsified, and unregistered drugs. The total estimated street value of the confiscated items exceeded one trillion naira.
The agency revealed that thorough investigations showed many of the warehouses, retail outlets, and distributors operating in these markets were not registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN). Furthermore, they failed to meet Good Storage and Distribution Practice (GSDP) standards, in clear violation of national health and safety regulations.

Penalties and Regulatory Charges Imposed on Offenders
In a bid to enforce compliance and deter future violations, NAFDAC imposed official investigative charges on operators found to be engaging in these illegal activities. These penalties, according to the agency, were not arbitrary but are gazetted regulations approved by the federal government.
The penalties include:

• N5,000,000 charge for the sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products. Following appeals and considerations of the traders’ complaints, this amount was later reduced to N200,000.
• N2,000,000 charge for violation of Good Storage and Distribution Practices. This was also reduced to N500,000 after appeals.

NAFDAC emphasized that these charges were uniformly applied across all affected markets and were part of a broader initiative to sanitize the drug distribution chain in Nigeria.

Social Media Influencer Accused of Inciting Resistance Against Government Policy
However, in the wake of this critical public health campaign, a disturbing wave of misinformation began surfacing online. A viral video posted by a prominent social media figure has been at the center of controversy, as it appears to incite traders in the Onitsha market to resist NAFDAC’s enforcement actions.
According to Professor Adeyeye, such public incitement is not only reckless but may amount to a criminal offense under Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act, which prohibits the use of digital platforms to spread false information, cause public unrest, or obstruct law enforcement operations.

“NAFDAC is alerting the public and relevant security agencies to this incitement, which may amount to a breach of the Cybercrime Act,” she warned.

NAFDAC Reaffirms Commitment to Public Health and Safety
Despite the backlash and orchestrated misinformation campaign, NAFDAC remains resolute in its mission. The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerians from the dangers of unsafe and substandard medical products. This includes drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and other health-related consumables.
In her statement, Prof. Adeyeye noted that the agency’s enforcement operations are designed to shield vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, children, the elderly, and patients with chronic illnesses, from the harmful effects of fake and substandard medications.

“By enforcing compliance with Nigeria’s drug safety regulations, we aim to protect lives and ensure a robust healthcare delivery system,” the Director-General said.

Security Agencies Urged to Take Action
In light of the incitement and digital misinformation campaign, NAFDAC is calling on relevant security agencies to investigate and act accordingly. The agency insists that inciting the public against lawful regulatory operations is a dangerous precedent that cannot be tolerated.
NAFDAC has also advised the public to be cautious about the content they consume and share on social media. The agency encouraged Nigerians to verify information from official sources before drawing conclusions or engaging in protest actions that may be manipulated by external influences. 

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Protecting the Health of the Nation Must Remain a Priority
The fight against the sale of counterfeit and substandard drugs in Nigeria is not just a regulatory duty — it is a battle to save lives. The recent actions by NAFDAC across the country’s open drug markets mark a pivotal moment in the effort to reform Nigeria’s pharmaceutical landscape.
However, public cooperation remains key. While the agency is doing its part, citizens must avoid being swayed by false narratives, especially those spread by unverified social media accounts. Instead, Nigerians should support regulatory efforts aimed at improving the nation’s healthcare system and eliminating unsafe drugs from circulation.
As NAFDAC continues its mission, one message is clear: the safety of Nigerians must never be compromised for profit or political gain.

By Primelineinfo