The police in Lagos State have arrested two soldiers and two other persons in connection with a busted fake pharmaceutical drugs company in the Alaba International Market area of the state.

It was also gathered that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Ojo Police Station, CSP Omolola Olaifa, rejected offers of a hefty bribe from unidentified persons suspected to be behind the fake drugs. The callers reportedly contacted her by phone.

This is as the police have traced the expired drugs to large pharmaceutical stores in FESTAC Town, Satellite Town, and Lagos Island.

Preliminary investigations by the police further revealed that the soldiers were being used by the manufacturers to distribute the drugs to different parts of Lagos.

It was gathered that a team of police officers from Ojo Police Station, led by the DPO, CSP Omolola Olaifa, intercepted a vehicle conveying the drugs.

A police source at the Ojo Division, who pleaded anonymity, told Nigerian Tribune: “We initially arrested two soldiers.”

He added that the operation was difficult, as the soldiers refused to disclose the source of the drugs and their intended destination.

“Our DPO personally handled the investigation. It was through her efforts that we were able to trace where the drugs were being manufactured,” the source said.

The source further revealed that investigations showed that the man who started the illegal business is dead, but his wife and workers have continued the illicit operation.

According to the source, information was received in September 2025 about the movement of drugs in a commercial bus around the St Patrick bus stop, Alaba International Market.

“Our DPO detailed detectives to the area, where two men in military camouflage were arrested with the expired drugs,” he said.

He further explained that the suspects were interrogated as required, after which the process of transferring the case to the state headquarters began.

“Our DPO then started receiving strange calls from unknown quarters, offering to secure the release of the suspects and asking her to name any amount to kill the case,” the source said.

However, considering the colossal damage and health hazards posed by fake and expired drugs, the DPO ignored the offers and ensured that the matter was properly transferred.

It w’s discovered that five persons are involved in the production of the fake drugs and the alteration of expiry dates. The suspects reportedly operate only at night.

Recovered fake products from the syndicate include ampicillin, promethazine hydrochloride, quinine hydrochloride, various brands of anti-malarial drugs, and syringes. (Sunday Tribune)