From Victor Osula, Abuja
Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has expressed concerns over threats to her life and the safety of NAFDAC officials due to the agency’s crackdown on counterfeit drugs.
Speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, Adeyeye revealed that she now requires round-the-clock police protection due to persistent threats from drug syndicates.
“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.
“For me, I have two policemen living in my house 24/7 in Abuja and Lagos. I don’t have a life. 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 said.
Adeyeye renewed her call for stricter penalties, including the death sentence, for those involved in the production and distribution of fake drugs. She described them as “merchants of death” who prioritize illicit profits over human lives.
The NAFDAC boss disclosed that recent operations had led to the seizure of counterfeit drugs worth over N1 trillion in raids across markets in Aba, Onitsha, and Lagos.
She also noted the confiscation of 87 truckloads of banned and substandard medical products, including expired antiretroviral drugs and compromised medical supplies.
She called on the authorities to intensify efforts in protecting NAFDAC officials, stressing that the fight against fake drugs was critical to safeguarding public health.
