The discovery was made on Thursday, October 22, following intelligence reports that one of the products, Aishetu Adams Bitters, was being produced with a fake NAFDAC registration number. The number reportedly belonged to a registered cough syrup.
Speaking to journalists, the Deputy Director in charge of the Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC, Pharm. Edith Joseph, said the agency received the intelligence on October 16, prompting surveillance and investigations that led to the discovery of the facility.
“What we found was shocking. The facility was in a very poor and unhygienic condition. Look at the water they use for production and the environment where the manufacturing takes place. The products are manufactured outdoors, in the open air. I can tell you that this facility is not approved by NAFDAC,” she said.
The agency identified the recovered products as Ashietu Adams Herbal Mixture for sexually transmitted diseases, Ashietu Adams Blood Purifier and another herbal preparation advertised for the treatment of high blood pressure.
Joseph said none of the three products was registered with NAFDAC. She added that the registration number displayed on the blood purifier belonged to a registered cough syrup.
“The number belongs to another registered product, which is a cough syrup. They simply copied the number and placed it on their product to deceive Nigerians,” she said.
She disclosed that the agency had sealed the facility pending further investigation and transferred the recovered products to its office.
According to Joseph, a man identified as Sayidu claimed to have worked with the alleged owner, Adams, for about a year, assisting in managing the business, particularly during her absence. Sayidu reportedly told officials that Adams, whom he identified as a Ghanaian woman, had travelled to Ghana.
NAFDAC said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the operation and determine the whereabouts of the alleged owner.
Joseph cautioned Nigerians against relying solely on NAFDAC registration numbers when purchasing herbal medicines and other regulated products, warning that counterfeiters could copy legitimate numbers to make unregistered products appear authentic.
She advised consumers to verify product details through NAFDAC’s online verification platforms and the agency’s Greenbook.
“If the name displayed does not match the product being presented, consumers should know that something is wrong,” she said.
She also urged consumers, particularly those in rural communities with limited internet access, to visit the nearest NAFDAC office for assistance in confirming the authenticity of products before purchasing or consuming them.
Also speaking, NAFDAC’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Mrs Christiana Obiazikwor, called for greater public participation in efforts to combat counterfeit and unregistered products.
Obiazikwor warned landlords and property owners against allowing their premises to be used for illegal manufacturing, noting that those found to be facilitating criminal activities could face prosecution.
She urged property owners to monitor activities on their premises and report suspicious operations to the relevant authorities.
“We cannot fight this battle alone. Every Nigerian has a role to play in identifying and reporting places where illegal manufacturing activities are taking place,” she said.
