The Lagos State Police Command has successfully dismantled an alleged pharmaceutical counterfeiting ring operating throughout Nigeria and West Africa. During a media briefing on Monday, Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai confirmed the arrest of two individuals, identified as 52-year-old Eze Okwudilichukwu and 42-year-old Chukwudi Mba.
Acting on intelligence, officers from the Violent Crime Response Unit raided a warehouse at 7A Otto Causeway, Lagos. Investigators found the suspects repackaging various adulterated medicines. Subsequent searches led to the seizure of a truck containing hundreds of cartons of fake drugs, including Omeprazole, Viagra, Ampiclox, and Septrin, alongside packaging materials.
Commissioner Fatai noted that the group had reportedly been active for over two years, distributing goods locally and exporting products to locations such as Lomé, Togo. Although attempts were made to bribe officers to halt the case, the police maintained their integrity. The investigation has now been handed over to Dr. Martins Iluyomade of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure appropriate regulatory and legal proceedings. Authorities are currently searching for the primary production facility linked to the syndicate.
