NAFDAC LAUNCHES TASK FORCE IN KANO TO COMBAT FAKE DRUGS, UNSAFE FOODS
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday set up a seven-member task force in Kano State to combat the spread of fake, counterfeit, and unsafe food and drug products.
At the inauguration, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the move as a strategic effort to boost enforcement against substandard regulated products and safeguard public health. Represented by the agency’s North-West Zone Director in Kaduna, Fraden Nantim-Mullah, she explained that the task force would function under NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate as a federal operational unit.
Adeyeye cautioned that counterfeit medicines and unsafe foods pose serious risks to public health, weaken trust in the healthcare system, and threaten economic stability and national development if not properly addressed. She noted that Kano’s position as a major commercial center makes it particularly susceptible to the production, importation, and distribution of substandard and falsified goods across local and regional markets.
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She added that the task force would focus on intelligence gathering, surveillance, enforcement actions, seizure of illegal products, arrest and prosecution of offenders, as well as public awareness campaigns to reduce the spread of fake goods. Members were urged to perform their duties with integrity, professionalism, and courage in order to protect public health and ensure compliance with national standards.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Umar Ibrahim, said the initiative was necessary to tackle the increasing cases of drug abuse and the circulation of counterfeit products in the state. He highlighted that drug addiction remains a major social issue, especially among youths, who make up more than 70 percent of the population.
According to him, recent reports of families seeking rehabilitation for their children underscore the urgent need to disrupt supply chains of fake drugs and unsafe products. He called for continued cooperation between federal and state authorities and warned against interference from vested interests that could hinder enforcement efforts. He also urged task force members to carry out their responsibilities impartially and in the best interest of public health.
In his remarks, the task force chairman, Kamilu Mudi-Salisu, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to eliminating fake drugs and unsafe food products. He encouraged the public to support the effort by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
Mudi-Salisu further stated that the task force has the authority to conduct raids, confiscate illegal goods, seal premises, and prosecute offenders in line with existing laws. He will serve as chairman in his role as Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Kano State Ministry of Health, while Kasim Ibrahim, Coordinator of the NAFDAC Kano Office, will act as secretary.
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