Professor Mojisola Adeyeyee, Director General of the National Bureau of Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), spoke about the security threats she suffered due to her job as the boss of NAFDAC.
Adeyeye made this point when speaking with state legislators after briefing at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, February 26. .
The NAFDAC boss revealed that the agency’s law enforcement efforts have resulted in the seizure of 87 trucks with banned, expired and unqualified medical products. Among the confiscated items are European aid and PA-free antiretroviral drugs, male and female condoms, and other damaged medical supplies.
She described the massive operation of three major open drug markets targeting Nigeria, the largest in NAFDAC history. This operation is performed in the following operations:
Professor Adeyeye estimates that the value of the seizure project is at least N1 trillion n1 trillion, but points out that further evaluations can reveal higher numbers. NAFDAC DG describes how employees face attempts and physical threats for their jobs.
“I tell you about the attempted murder case about six months ago. One of our staff members in Kano was kidnapped for work. Fortunately, the child escaped,” she revealed.
For me, I had two policemen living in my home in Abuja and Lagos on 24/7. I have no life. I can’t go anywhere without police escorts. That’s not my lifestyle, but I have no choice because we have to save our country. Nevertheless, I use common sense. ”
The threats faced by Professor Adeyeye reflect the people that Professor Dora Akunyili met, who led Nafdac from 2001 to 2009 and became the target of the drug cartel for its relentless battle with counterfeiting drugs.
Akunyili’s motivation stems from the death of her sister, who died after receiving fake insulin. Her campaign led to the closure of the open-air drug market and confiscation of fake drugs, posed numerous threats, and even attempted assassination in 2003.
Like Akunyili, despite the dangers involved, Professor Adeyeye is determined to eliminate the threat of fake drugs.
Professor Adeyeye stressed the need for strict punishment, including the death penalty, because those who are life-threatening through fake drugs.
She urged the Nigerian government to enforce stronger laws to curb life-threatening trade in counterfeiting drugs.
NAFDAC continues to strengthen its enforcement actions nationwide to protect public health and restore confidence in the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry.
