Victor EzejaThe National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has expressed concerns about the dangers to her life and the security of the agency’s staff.
She made this known during a Wednesday press briefing at State House, Abuja.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelProf. Adeyeye called on authorities to provide adequate security for them as they perform their jobs in hazardous situations.
This comes amid ongoing crackdown on the proliferation of fake drugs across the country.
NAFDAC officials have raided drug markets in Idumota, Lagos, Ariaria and Eziukwu Markets in Aba, Abia State, and Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The NAFDAC DG estimated that the confiscated goods so far were worth about N1 trillion.
She called on the government to make laws that stipulate the death penalty for people found guilty of peddling fake drugs, noting that it has taken a heavy toll on human lives in the country and must stop.
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She recalled there was a time when some NAFDAC staff had faced kidnapping attempts and physical threats due to their work.
While thanking the National Security Adviser for providing better security cover for NAFDAC officials in the ongoing enforcement exercises, Adeyeye recounted the staff’s experience some years ago when they were overwhelmed by traders during an inspection in the Onitsha drug market.
“I told you about the attempted murder about six months ago. One of our staff members in Kano had his child kidnapped because he was doing his job. Fortunately, the child escaped,” she stated.
Adeyeye said she has two police officers in her house in Abuja and Lagos, adding that she no longer lives her normal life because of the situation. “I can’t go anywhere without police escorts. That’s not my way of living, but I don’t have a choice because we must save our country. Nonetheless, I also use common sense,” she added.
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The war against fake drugs has been on for decades. Former DG of NAFDAC, Prof. Dora Akunyili (2001 to 2009 ) faced a similar threat to her life and even an assassination attempt when the agency closed some open-air drug markets and seized counterfeit drugs.
Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to tackling the illicit drug trade in Nigeria.
She also emphasised the agency’s collaboration with security agencies to strengthen surveillance and curb the influx of counterfeit drugs through the nation’s borders.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
