The operation was conducted by the Investigation and Enforcement team of NAFDAC in various locations, including the Mararaba and Nyanya areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Suleja in Niger State.

During the operation, NAFDAC seized a significant quantity of unregistered herbal products, drug enhancement pills, and sensitized drugs. At the Al-Nassar Islamic Herbal Medicine Store in Suleja, Niger State, unregistered products worth N35 million were confiscated, leading to the sealing of the store and the arrest of its manager.

In addition, unregistered products worth N10 million were seized from hawkers' outlets in the FCT, and four hawkers were apprehended for selling these illegal products.

Umar Suleiman, the Team Lead and Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer of the Federal Task Force, Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, highlighted the pre-operation surveillance carried out by the agency.

He explained that the surveillance uncovered the sale of numerous unregistered herbal products, as well as sensitized drugs featuring pornographic pictures, which are not approved by NAFDAC. Furthermore, these products were being sold in bulk, indicating the involvement of a dealer who restricts access to the products by retailers.

The successful raids and seizures demonstrate NAFDAC's commitment to ensuring that only safe and registered products are available in the market.

He said, by taking decisive action against illegal hawkers and unregistered products, NAFDAC plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health and protecting consumers from potentially harmful substances.

“Also, monthly, we conduct raids twice or three times. On our raids in Nyanya and Mararaba, we want to confirm if those Baba Aisha products are still in the markets and those doing the adverts are not permitted.

“Most of the drugs seized are sex enhancers like night rockets, black diamonds, double rockets, AK 47, and many other herbal products.”

Suleiman said efforts are also ongoing to crack down on unregistered cosmetics, medical devices, detergents, and packaged water.