According to a statement by Mr. Babatunji Omoyeni, the Deputy Director in charge of NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement for the South-South/South-East Federal Taskforce, the illegal operation was uncovered during a coordinated raid on the premises. The ground floor of the uncompleted building served as both the factory and a residential apartment for the Igwe family.
Omoyeni explained that the operation followed intelligence received from concerned members of the public, who had raised alarm over suspicious activities at the location. Acting on the tip-off, NAFDAC operatives also tracked the suspect’s drug shop at the Bridge Head Drug Market (Ogbo-Ogu) in Onitsha, Anambra State—one of the largest drug markets in the country—where counterfeit and expired drugs were being sold to unsuspecting customers.
During the raid, NAFDAC operatives made significant seizures, including a large drum containing vials soaked in a liquid substance, various adulterated drugs, and relabelled expired medications. Among the items recovered were substantial quantities of chloroquine phosphate 322 mg/5 ml, petazine injection 50 mg/2 ml, gentamycin injection 280 mg/2 ml, and numerous other contraband injectables that had been repackaged with new labels, concealing their true origins and expiry dates. Shockingly, some of the relabelled drugs had expired as far back as seven years ago.
Blessing Igwe, the arrested wife of the fugitive suspect, is currently in custody and is expected to be arraigned before a competent court to face charges relating to her involvement in the illegal drug operation.
Omoyeni stressedthat efforts are ongoing to apprehend the prime suspect, Ekene Igwe, and to dismantle his entire drug network. He confirmed that other occupants of the uncompleted building have been profiled, and further investigations are in progress.
Also addressing the press, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC Director for the South-East Zone, disclosed that the agency plans to seize the storey building used for the illicit drug manufacturing and distribution, as part of a broader effort to curb the production and sale of fake drugs in Nigeria.
Dr. Iluyomade expressed deep concern over the dangers posed by such illegal drug operations, stating, “I feel very sad for our country and the kind of things that are happening. Only God knows how many people have died from consuming these illicit drugs produced by these merchants who care only about profit at the expense of public health.”
He noted that many of these illegal drug traders have relocated from the Ogbo-Ogu market, where regulatory scrutiny has increased, to less monitored areas like Asaba, where they continue their operations in secret. “They use uncompleted buildings as hideouts, where they repackage and relabel expired injectables, endangering the lives of countless Nigerians,” he said.
Dr. Iluyomade reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting public health, adding that the agency is determined to put an end to the illicit drug trade, no matter how long it takes. He also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities, emphasizing that the fight against fake drugs requires collective effort.
“This issue of fake and adulterated drugs has persisted for too long, but NAFDAC is committed to ending it. We urge Nigerians to support our efforts by staying alert and providing timely information,” he stated.
NAFDAC has assured the public that investigations will continue until all those involved in the illicit drug network are brought to justice.
