NAFDAC Sets Up Special Task Force in Ebonyi to Combat Fake Drugs, Unsafe Foods …………Agency rallies health regulators, police, others to strengthen surveillance and protect public health.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a special task force in Ebonyi State aimed at tackling the spread of counterfeit medicines and substandard processed foods.

The initiative was formally inaugurated on Friday in Abakaliki, the state capital. Speaking at the event, NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye—represented by the South-East Zonal Director, Festus Ukadike—said the move forms part of the agency’s renewed push to curb the circulation of fake pharmaceutical products and unsafe packaged foods.

According to her, the newly established task force brings together key stakeholders from the health and security sectors, including representatives from NAFDAC, the state Ministry of Health, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Police Force.

Adeyeye urged residents and industry players in Ebonyi to cooperate with the team, stressing that community support would be crucial in confronting the growing threat posed by counterfeit drugs and unsafe food products.

She explained that the task force would focus on enforcing regulatory standards, conducting intelligence-driven monitoring, removing illegal items from the market, and promoting public awareness about the dangers of fake medicines and unwholesome foods.

The NAFDAC chief also noted that the initiative would help protect legitimate manufacturers and traders by preventing counterfeiters from undermining compliant businesses.

“The goal is to safeguard public health, strengthen trust in regulated products, and reduce the economic and health burden associated with fake medicines,” she said.

Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs, Martins Iluyomade, who joined the event virtually from Lagos, reminded members that the task force operates under legal authority backed by the National Assembly through Cap C34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

He encouraged members to view their assignment as a service to humanity and remain committed to eliminating fake drugs from the country.

Also speaking, the NAFDAC coordinator in Ebonyi, Emeka Orajaka, said the formation of the task force would strengthen efforts to improve healthcare delivery in the state.

In his remarks, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, commended NAFDAC for the initiative and pledged the state government’s support toward ensuring the task force achieves its mandate.

Members of the task force later took their oath of office, administered by Jumbo Washington of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Asaba, marking the official commencement of their operations in the state.