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The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health following the seizure of counterfeit and substandard drugs valued at over N200 million during a major raid across the Kano metropolis.
The operation was carried out by the Kano State Committee on Motor Parks and Other Public Places in collaboration with security and anti-drug agencies.
The disclosure was made in a statement issued on Sunday by Balarabe Abdullahi-Kiru, Director of Public Enlightenment at the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs.
According to the statement, the confiscated drugs lacked approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, raising serious concerns about public safety and health risks.
The raid involved operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The statement noted that the operation was led by the committee chairman, Maj. Adamu Abubakar-Usman (Rtd), following intelligence reports on the illegal storage and distribution of fake medicines within the state.
Speaking during the raid, Abubakar-Usman revealed that the counterfeit drugs were discovered in an abandoned building where they were allegedly stored under excessive heat and unhygienic conditions.
“These drugs lacked NAFDAC certification and therefore pose a serious danger to public health, especially to women and children,” he said.
He warned that storing medicines in poor sanitary environments and under extreme temperatures could compromise their effectiveness and expose consumers to severe health complications.
Abubakar-Usman further assured residents that the committee would continue to work closely with security and health agencies to combat the circulation of fake drugs and ensure that offenders are prosecuted.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policy and Special Development, Dr Danyaro Ali-Yakasai, urged members of the public to verify the authenticity of medicines before purchasing them and report suspected dealers in counterfeit drugs.
He reiterated the state government’s determination to clamp down on activities capable of endangering the lives of residents.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commander of Narcotics at the NDLEA Kano Command, Ya’u Malam-Yakubu, disclosed that the confiscated products included 55 cartons of Super Sexy, 144 cartons of Bold Brown/Body Bliss, 70 cartons of Lion King/Hygra, as well as three sacks of empty packaging materials.
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