|By Adejumo Adekunle-
- Prof. Adeyeye says she lives under 24/7 police protection
- N1 trillion worth of counterfeit drugs seized in massive crackdown
- NAFDAC’s relentless fight recalls Dora Akunyili’s historic battle
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has sounded the alarm over threats to her life due to her agency’s aggressive campaign against counterfeit and substandard drugs.
Speaking at the Meet the Media Parley organized by the presidential media team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, Prof. Adeyeye revealed that she no longer enjoys personal freedom as she now requires round-the-clock security protection.
She disclosed that not only is she a target, but her staff members are also facing severe threats. Recounting a recent harrowing incident, she revealed that one of her staff’s children was kidnapped but managed to escape from his captors.
Addressing concerns about the agency’s latest crackdown on illicit drug markets, Prof. Adeyeye described it as one of the most extensive enforcement operations in NAFDAC’s history. She stated that the agency had seized counterfeit medicines and medical supplies worth an estimated N1 trillion from major drug hubs in Onitsha, Aba, and Lagos.
This latest development echoes the perilous battle waged by Prof. Dora Akunyili, who served as NAFDAC DG between 2001 and 2009. Akunyili faced death threats, an assassination attempt, and intense opposition from drug cartels as she led an uncompromising war against fake drugs—fueled by the tragic loss of her sister to counterfeit insulin.
Providing further insights into the agency’s ongoing battle, Prof. Adeyeye revealed:
“About six months ago, there was an attempted murder. One of our staff in Kano had his child kidnapped simply because he was committed to doing the right thing. Thankfully, the child escaped. As for me, I have two policemen living with me in both Abuja and Lagos. I don’t have a life—I can’t go anywhere without security escorts. That is not the way I want to live, but I have no choice because we must save this country.”
She further disclosed that NAFDAC’s latest operation, launched on February 9, 2025, involved 1,100 security operatives, including military personnel, police, and DSS agents. The task force sealed off the affected drug markets—Ariaria and Eziukwu (Aba), Bridge Head (Onitsha), and Idumota (Lagos)—to prevent traders from smuggling out contraband medicines.
The agency’s decisive action falls under its National Action Plan (NAP 2.0) 2023-2027, aimed at eliminating fake drugs, strengthening regulatory enforcement, and safeguarding public health.
Despite the dangers she faces, Prof. Adeyeye remains resolute in her mission, declaring that the fight against counterfeit medicines is a battle that must be won.
