![Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye. [PHOTO CREDIT: Punch Newspaper]](https://crediblenewsng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/images-6-1.jpeg)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has shut down an illegal drug manufacturing facility operating from an uncompleted three-storey building in Azagba-Ogwashi, Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State.
During a press briefing in Asaba on Tuesday, NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade disclosed that the agency raided the illicit facility following a tip-off from vigilant members of the public.
The operation exposed large-scale relabelling of expired injectable drugs, including some that had expired over seven years ago.
Iuyomade said the prime suspect, Ekene Igwe—a known trader at the notorious Ogbo-Ogu drug market in Onitsha, Anambra State—is currently at large.
His wife, Blessing Igwe, who was also involved in the illegal operation, has been arrested and is facing prosecution.
“These criminal enterprises are endangering the lives of countless Nigerians,” Iluyomade said. “They are repackaging expired, ineffective, and potentially fatal drugs, deceiving the public for profit. Nigerians must remain vigilant and report suspicious drug activities.”
Deputy Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. Babatunji Omoyeni, added that the raid led to the discovery of large quantities of expired and counterfeit drugs.
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These included vials soaked in unknown substances, a big drum filled with adulterated liquid chemicals, and relabelled injectables such as chloroquine phosphate (322mg/5ml), petazine (50mg/2ml), and gentamycin (280mg/2ml).
NAFDAC officials also recovered:
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Eight packs of expired chloroquine (expired August 2018)
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35 ampoules of engometrin (expired July 2020)
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30 ampoules of petazine
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70 ampoules of gentamycin
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200 packs of unexpired chloroquine
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50 ampoules of promethazine
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3000 ampoules of unlabelled injectable drugs
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1300 printed drug packaging materials
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Two generators and a drum containing vials and nails soaked in chemicals
Journalists were taken to the site, where they saw the unhygienic conditions and evidence of mass counterfeit production. Iluyomade emphasized that NAFDAC would push for the forfeiture of any property used in illegal drug production as part of efforts to sanitize the pharmaceutical supply chain.
He concluded by warning that NAFDAC is determined to shut down all sources of fake and substandard medicines and prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.
