NAFDAC uncovers fake chemicals, expired food flavours worth over N1bn in Lagos

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismantled a large-scale illegal operation in the Alapere area of Ketu, Lagos, seizing counterfeit chemicals, expired food flavourings, fertilisers, and repackaged raw materials valued at over ₦1 billion.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the agency’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Christiana Obiazikwor, NAFDAC confirmed the arrest of three suspects and the sealing of three warehouses allegedly linked to the criminal activity.

Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, said the raid was based on actionable intelligence about a syndicate engaged in practices that posed serious public health risks.

“We acted on credible intelligence concerning individuals masquerading as legitimate business operators while secretly conducting dangerous activities that endanger lives,” Iluyomade said.

He noted that several of the confiscated substances are restricted items and should only be handled by authorised government agencies or certified end-users.

Leading the operation, Director of Chemical Evaluation and Control, Dr Leonard Omokpariola, revealed that the enforcement team discovered caustic soda, urea fertiliser, propylene glycol, and metronidazole benzoate among numerous expired and hazardous materials.

“Alarmingly, we uncovered food additives such as roasted chicken, roasted beef, tiger nut, and cola flavourings. Many of the seized packaging materials carried tampered expiry dates and bore ‘Made in China’ labels,” Omokpariola said.

He further disclosed that products were falsely labelled as “QC certified,” falsely indicating they had passed quality control assessments, even though they were being processed unlawfully by unlicensed individuals.

Omokpariola warned that expired chemicals, when used in food or drug manufacturing, are extremely difficult to detect without advanced laboratory analysis, posing significant risks to consumers.

The agency demanded that the prime suspect report immediately to NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Apapa, warning that failure to do so would trigger an intensified search.

“We are also investigating registered companies whose expired imports may have been diverted into this criminal network,” the statement concluded.