The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Tuesday inaugurated a seven-member task force in Kano State to tackle the circulation of fake, counterfeit, and unwholesome food products and drugs.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the initiative as a strategic move to strengthen enforcement against substandard regulated products and protect public health.
Adeyeye, who was represented by the NAFDAC Director, North-West Zone, Kaduna, Fraden Nantim-Mullah, said the task force would operate under the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate as a federal operational arm.
She warned that counterfeit drugs and unsafe foods pose serious public health risks, undermine confidence in the healthcare system, and threaten national development and economic stability if not decisively addressed.
“Kano’s status as a major commercial hub makes it vulnerable to the manufacture, importation, and distribution of substandard and falsified products across local and regional markets,” she said.
The DG explained that the task force would undertake intelligence gathering, surveillance, enforcement operations, seizure of illegal products, arrest and prosecution of offenders, as well as public sensitisation to curb the spread of fake products.
She urged members to carry out their duties with integrity, professionalism, and courage to safeguard public health and ensure compliance with national regulatory standards.
Also speaking, the Kano State Secretary to the Government, Umar Ibrahim, said the constitution of the task force was necessary to address the rising cases of drug abuse and circulation of counterfeit products in the state.
He noted that drug addiction remains a major social challenge, particularly among youths, who constitute over 70 per cent of the state’s population.
“Recent reports of families seeking rehabilitation for their children reflect the urgent need to disrupt supply chains of fake drugs and unwholesome products across the state,” he said.
Ibrahim called for sustained collaboration between federal and state authorities and cautioned against interference from vested interests that could undermine enforcement efforts.
He charged members of the committee to carry out their responsibilities without fear or favour, and always in the interest of public health.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the task force, Kamilu Mudi-Salisu, pledged the committee’s commitment to tackling the circulation of fake drugs and unsafe food products.
He urged members of the public to support the initiative by reporting suspicious activities within their communities.
Mudi-Salisu added that the task force was empowered to conduct raids, seize illegal products, seal premises, and prosecute offenders in line with existing laws and regulations.
The committee has Mudi-Salisu, Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Kano State Ministry of Health, as chairman, while Kasim Ibrahim, Coordinator of the NAFDAC Kano Office, will serve as secretary.