The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated banned, expired, and unregistered products worth over N1.5 billion during a major enforcement operation in Lagos.

The raid was carried out on Saturday by the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate at the cosmetics section of the Trade Fair market. A truck transporting counterfeit, NAFDAC-regulated items was also intercepted.

Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, led the team and briefed journalists afterwards. He said the operation was part of NAFDAC’s ongoing national effort to eliminate unsafe products from Nigerian markets.

“We’ve received numerous complaints about harmful products. This exercise furthers our mission to remove such items from circulation,” Iluyomade said.

Some of the seized goods were banned imports that bypassed proper testing. Others were expired products still on warehouse shelves. “The total value of the confiscated items exceeds N1.5 billion,” he added.

Warehouse owners have been summoned for investigation and could face prosecution if found culpable. Iluyomade noted that some seemingly normal products contain toxic or cancer-causing chemicals.

“As a scientific agency, we conduct visual inspections and laboratory testing to determine product safety,” he explained. “Any product—imported or locally made—must meet NAFDAC standards before reaching consumers.”

Iluyomade warned that unregulated food and cosmetic items pose a serious national security threat. “One way to silently harm people is through contaminated food or skincare products,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to avoid harmful practices and assured that NAFDAC is committed to protecting public health without hindering legitimate businesses. “Our mission is not anti-business; we’re here to protect both consumers and responsible traders,” he concluded.