By DEBORAH AKPEDE

The Police Command in Lagos State says it has intercepted a truckload of suspected counterfeit drugs and apprehended two suspects in connection with the illegal consignment.

The Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Mr Fatai Tijani, disclosed this, while addressing journalists on Monday at the Violent Crime Response Unit, (VCRU) office, Ijora Olopa, Lagos.

Tijani said the operation was carried out by officers of the command’s VCRU, following credible intelligence, leading to the interception of a truck conveying suspected counterfeit pharmaceutical products.

According to him, the truck is intercepted in the Otto, Ijora area of the state.

He said the operation was a major breakthrough in the command’s efforts to protect residents from criminal activities that threatened public health and safety.

“We are all aware of the proliferation of counterfeit drugs in the country.

“If such products are allowed to circulate, they pose serious health risks and can endanger the lives of many people,” he said.

The commissioner said preliminary investigation revealed that the drugs were destined for distribution to different parts of the country, with some allegedly intended for neighbouring countries.

He added that the command acted swiftly to prevent the products from reaching the market.

According to him, investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those behind the production, importation and distribution of the suspected counterfeit drugs.

The police boss noted that, although the arrested suspects had yet to disclose the identities of the owners of the consignment, investigators were making efforts to unravel the entire network.

He acknowledged that the regulation of pharmaceutical products primarily fell within the mandate of relevant government agencies.

The CP, however, stressed that the police would continue to collaborate with such agencies to combat crimes involving counterfeit medicines.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

Tijani, therefore, urged members of the public to provide credible information that would assist security agencies in tackling the production and distribution of fake drugs.

According to him, the value of the seized drugs is yet to be determined as investigations and inventory of the recovered items continue.

He assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in the circulation of counterfeit products.

Also, Dr Martin Iluyomade, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), confirmed the fake drug.

Iluyomade is also the Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods.

He commended Tijani and officers of the command for their professionalism and resilience in carrying out the operation.

The director said the seizure underscored the importance of collaboration among security and regulatory agencies.

“The counterfeit medicines posed a grave threat to public health.

“Fake drugs are silent killers that contribute to treatment failures and needless deaths; laboratory analysis will determine the authenticity of the seized products, ” he said.

Iluyomade recalled that NAFDAC removed more than 140 truckloads of counterfeit and substandard medicines from markets in Lagos, Aba and Onitsha during a nationwide enforcement exercise in 2025.

He urged Nigerians to support security and regulatory agencies by reporting suspicious activities involving counterfeit medicines. (NAN)

•PHOTO: Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Tijani, and the Director of Investigation and Enforcement of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Martin Iluyomade, while addressing journalists on Monday in Lagos