The Necessity of Police Escorts for NAFDAC Leadership

Security Challenges Faced by NAFDAC’s Executive Director

Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has expressed deep concern over escalating threats to her life and the safety of her staff due to their intensified crackdown on counterfeit and substandard drugs in Nigeria. In a recent briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, she revealed that the agency’s rigorous enforcement activities have necessitated constant police protection for her and her team.

Professor Adeyeye disclosed that she now requires round-the-clock security, stating, “I have two policemen living with me in Abuja and Lagos. I don’t have a life anymore. I can’t go anywhere without escorts. That’s not how I want to live, but I have no choice.”

The heightened security measures follow significant operations by NAFDAC, including the seizure of 87 truckloads of banned, expired, and substandard medical products from major drug markets in Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba. The estimated value of the confiscated items exceeds N1 trillion, marking one of the largest hauls in the agency’s history.

These enforcement actions have not only disrupted illicit drug operations but have also led to direct threats against NAFDAC personnel. Professor Adeyeye recounted a harrowing incident where a staff member’s child was kidnapped in Kano due to the parent’s role in the agency’s activities. Fortunately, the child managed to escape unharmed.

The current threats mirror those faced by former NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Dora Akunyili, who was targeted by drug cartels during her tenure from 2001 to 2009 due to her relentless fight against counterfeit drugs. Despite the personal risks, Professor Adeyeye remains resolute in her commitment to eradicating fake drugs from Nigeria, emphasizing the critical need to safeguard public health.

In light of these challenges, human rights organizations have called for enhanced security measures for NAFDAC officials and stricter penalties for individuals involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit drugs.