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