NAFDAC raids warehouse containing N1bn worth of expired chemicals in Lagos

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a major illegal operation involving expired and counterfeit chemicals, food flavours, fertilisers, and other repackaged raw materials worth over N1 billion in the Alapere area of Ketu, Lagos. The operation, carried out on Tuesday, resulted in the arrest of three suspects and […]

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a major illegal operation involving expired and counterfeit chemicals, food flavours, fertilisers, and other repackaged raw materials worth over N1 billion in the Alapere area of Ketu, Lagos.

The operation, carried out on Tuesday, resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the sealing of three warehouses believed to be central to the illicit trade.

According to a statement by the agency, the raid followed credible intelligence about a criminal network distributing hazardous substances capable of endangering public health.

Dr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, described the discovery as alarming, warning that the use of expired chemicals compromises the safety of consumer products.

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“When expired chemicals are used, the effectiveness and safety of the final products are compromised, putting the public at serious risk,” he said.

Iluyomade disclosed that some of the seized items included tightly regulated chemicals that should not be in private possession.

“We found fertilisers that require clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser before they can be distributed, yet they were being sold without authorisation,” he said.

One of the most disturbing discoveries was a vehicle loaded with expired food-grade additives, which had originated from a licensed importer but ended up in the hands of an unregistered third party, raising serious concerns about supply chain integrity.

Dr. Leonard Omokpariola, Director of Chemical Evaluation and Control, said among the recovered items were caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), urea fertiliser, propylene glycol, and metronidazole benzoate-all of which were stored under unsafe conditions.

NAFDAC has called on the prime suspect, who is still at large, to report to its Investigation and Enforcement Unit in Apapa. “If he fails to report, we will find him. There will be consequences,” Omokpariola warned.