On Monday, August 10, 2026, the commissioner of police, Lagos State command, Cp Tijani Fatai, records a significant operational breakthrough by the police on interstate trafficking of suspected adulterated pharmaceuticals products.
The significant operational breakthrough recorded by the Lagos State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in its sustained efforts to combat organized crime across the State.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the VCRU successfully intercepted and arrested two suspected members of a criminal syndicate involved in the repackaging and interstate trafficking of suspected adulterated and counterfeit pharmaceutical products within Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.
The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.
Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out.
During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.
The operation led to the recovery of the following suspected counterfeit pharmaceutical products: 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole drugs, six (6) bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton and other pharmaceutical products, ten (10) cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra and other drugs. and over 300 empty printed packs and cartons used for repackaging the suspected counterfeit drugs.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the criminal syndicate have been engaged in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for over two years.
Further investigations established that the drugs were being transported to different parts of Nigeria, with substantial quantities also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.
The investigations also suggest that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State. While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation and bring them to justice.
It is also pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to compromise the investigation by inducing officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits. I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted.
The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice.
Handing over to NAFDAC, given the nature of this case and its direct relevance to the regulation and enforcement of standards relating to pharmaceutical products.
Today, I formally hand over the suspects, the recovered exhibits and the case file to the Director of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Martins Iluyomade, for further investigation and necessary regulatory action. This handover underscores the Lagos State Police Command’s resolve to ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice through the appropriate legal and regulatory processes.
The commissioner of police, Lagos State command, Cp Tijani Fatai, states that he wish to commend the officers and men of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) whose professionalism, diligence and intelligence-led operation led to the successful interception of this criminal syndicate.
We also urge members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information on suspicious activities relating to counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal enterprises, as such information remains invaluable in supporting our crime-fighting efforts.
