NAFDAC Launches Special Task Force in Kano to Combat Fake Drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has stepped up its nationwide crackdown on fake drugs in Nigeria with the inauguration of a seven-member task force in Kano to tackle the circulation of counterfeit medicines and unwholesome food products.

Speaking at the inauguration, NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening enforcement and safeguarding public health. Represented by the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, Fraden Nantim-Mullah, she said the task force would operate under the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate as a federal operational arm.

Adeyeye warned that the proliferation of counterfeit drugs and substandard food products poses serious health risks, contributes to treatment failure, fuels antimicrobial resistance, and undermines confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“Kano’s status as a major commercial hub makes it highly vulnerable to the manufacture, importation, and distribution of falsified products across local and regional markets,” she said, noting that intelligence reports have continued to link the state to major supply routes for illicit pharmaceuticals in West Africa.

The Director-General explained that the task force would focus on intelligence gathering, surveillance, coordinated enforcement operations, seizure of illegal products, arrest and prosecution of offenders, as well as public sensitisation campaigns to curb the spread of fake products.

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The move aligns with NAFDAC’s broader strategy to eliminate open drug markets and tighten regulatory oversight across Nigeria, particularly in high-risk zones. In recent years, the agency has intensified raids on major drug distribution centres and partnered with security agencies to dismantle networks dealing in falsified medicines.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Umar Ibrahim, said the task force was necessary to address the rising incidence of drug abuse in Nigeria and the widespread availability of counterfeit products in the state.

He noted that drug addiction remains a major social challenge, especially among youths—who make up over 70 per cent of Kano’s population—warning that the easy access to fake and unregulated substances continues to worsen the crisis.

“Recent cases of families seeking rehabilitation for their children highlight the urgent need to disrupt the supply chains of fake drugs and unsafe products,” he said.

Ibrahim called for stronger collaboration between federal and state authorities, while cautioning against interference from vested interests that could undermine enforcement efforts.

In his remarks, the task force Chairman, Kamilu Mudi-Salisu, pledged the committee’s commitment to eliminating fake drugs and unsafe food products from circulation.

He stated that the team is empowered to conduct raids, seal premises, seize illegal products, and prosecute offenders in line with existing laws. He also urged the public to support the initiative by reporting suspicious activities within their communities.

The committee comprises key regulatory and health officials, with Mudi-Salisu serving as chairman and Kasim Ibrahim acting as secretary.

Public health experts say the establishment of the Kano task force could significantly disrupt illicit supply chains if effectively implemented, particularly given the state’s strategic role in regional trade. However, they stress that sustained enforcement, community engagement, and stricter border controls will be critical to achieving long-term success.

The latest action underscores NAFDAC’s renewed commitment to protecting consumers and restoring confidence in regulated products across Nigeria, as authorities intensify efforts to curb the spread of counterfeit medicines and safeguard public health.

NAFDAC Launches Special Task Force in Kano to Combat Fake Drugs

Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River

The Government of Cross River State has confirmed a new COVID-19 case, triggering immediate activation of emergency health protocols, surveillance operations, and contact tracing measures across affected areas of the state.

The announcement was made in Calabar by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, who disclosed that the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

According to him, the patient arrived in Nigeria on March 17, 2026, and later developed symptoms while in Cross River. He was first treated at a government health facility before being referred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were taken and tested in line with established COVID-19 testing protocols. The results confirmed the presence of the virus.

Health authorities, however, assured residents that the patient is currently stable and responding to treatment, urging the public not to panic.

The commissioner explained that the state government deliberately followed due process before making the announcement public to ensure accuracy and prevent misinformation. He added that the health system in Cross River has been strengthened to handle infectious disease outbreaks and maintain effective surveillance.

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The State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, confirmed that the State Emergency Response Unit (SERU) has been activated immediately following the confirmation of the case. She said rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa Local Government Area to support containment efforts.

She further disclosed that health officials have begun contact tracing and line listing of individuals who may have been exposed to the patient, particularly those he came into contact with during his movement within the state.

Ekpenyong noted that the last confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross River was recorded in 2022, making the current situation a renewed focus for public health surveillance. She added that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the infection was contracted locally or imported.

According to preliminary assessments, the patient developed symptoms on April 10, 2026—more than two weeks after arriving in Nigeria. Health experts say this falls outside the typical 2–14 day COVID-19 incubation period, raising questions about possible local transmission.

The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Cross River, Dr Yewande Olatunde, has also urged continued vigilance, stressing that COVID-19 remains a global public health concern despite reduced emergency classification.

She advised residents to maintain preventive practices such as proper hygiene, early reporting of symptoms, and adherence to public health guidance to reduce the risk of spread.

State health authorities emphasized that there is currently no cause for alarm, noting that containment systems, surveillance teams, and emergency response structures are fully active to prevent any potential outbreak.

Officials reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that any suspected case of COVID-19 in Nigeria is swiftly detected, isolated, and managed to protect public health.

Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River

High-Salt Diet Linked to Faster Memory Decline in Men, Study Finds

A new study by researchers at Edith Cowan University has found that a diet high in salt may accelerate memory decline in men, highlighting the growing link between nutrition and long-term brain health.

The study, published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, examined how sodium intake affects cognitive performance over time, particularly episodic memory, which is responsible for recalling personal experiences and everyday events.

Researchers tracked 1,208 adults over a 72-month period, analysing baseline sodium consumption and monitoring changes in cognitive function.

Findings showed that men with higher sodium intake experienced a significantly faster decline in episodic memory compared to those with lower salt consumption. However, the study found no significant association between sodium intake and memory decline in women.

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Episodic memory plays a crucial role in daily life, helping individuals remember routine experiences such as locations, conversations, and important personal events.

Lead researcher Samantha Gardener explained that while the exact biological mechanisms are still being studied, high salt intake may contribute to brain inflammation, vascular damage, and reduced blood flow to the brain, all of which can negatively affect cognitive performance over time.

Sodium is essential for normal body function, but excessive consumption has long been associated with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke risk, conditions that are also linked to cognitive decline and dementia in later life.

Health experts note that the findings reinforce global dietary recommendations to limit excessive salt intake, particularly as populations age and the burden of neurodegenerative diseases continues to rise.

The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that dietary patterns—such as reduced sodium intake and balanced nutrition—may play an important role in protecting brain health and memory function across the lifespan.

High-Salt Diet Linked to Faster Memory Decline in Men, Study Finds