NAFDAC uncovers an illegal herbal factory in Lagos, arrests its manager and seals the facility over unregistered products and a falsified registration number

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered an illegal herbal products factory operating inside a residential building in Agege, Lagos, arresting the facility manager over the alleged production of unregistered products under unhygienic conditions.

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The agency said one of the products discovered at the facility bore a falsified registration number belonging to a registered cough syrup, raising concerns about consumer safety.

NAFDAC disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, October 22, 2026, following intelligence received on October 16 about the production of Aishetu Adams Bitters using an allegedly fake registration number.

According to the agency, its officers conducted surveillance and gathered intelligence before locating the facility concealed within a residential building.

“What we found was shocking. The facility was in a very poor and unhygienic condition,” NAFDAC said.

During the operation, officials identified three products: Ashietu Adams Herbal Mixture for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Ashietu Adams Blood Purifier and another herbal product claiming to treat high blood pressure.

The agency said its enforcement team evacuated the products during an initial visit and sealed the premises pending further investigation.

The facility manager, identified as Abulaziz Sayidu, was arrested for interrogation, while the alleged owner, Ashietu Adams, had reportedly absconded.

NAFDAC further disclosed that the packaging of the products suggested they originated from Ghana but contained neither the manufacturer’s name nor a verifiable address indicating where they were produced.

The absence of essential details, including batch numbers and the manufacturer’s address, also raised concerns about the products’ traceability and accountability.

The agency’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Christiana Obiazikwor, who was present during the enforcement operation, urged Nigerians to exercise caution when purchasing herbal medicines and other regulated products.

She warned consumers against assuming that products were genuine simply because they displayed NAFDAC registration numbers.

Obiazikwor advised buyers to verify registration details through the agency’s online platforms and Greenbook before purchasing products.

“These products do not have batch numbers or the manufacturer’s address. These are important details that help establish the identity and traceability of a product,” she said.

She also called for greater public participation in the fight against counterfeit and unregistered products, urging Nigerians to report locations suspected of being used for illegal manufacturing.

“We cannot fight this battle alone. Every Nigerian has a role to play by identifying and reporting places where illegal manufacturing activities are taking place,” she added.

Obiazikwor warned property owners against allowing their buildings to be used for unlawful manufacturing activities, stressing the importance of public cooperation in protecting health and safety.

She said NAFDAC was intensifying public education through radio programmes, multilingual jingles and community sensitisation campaigns, particularly in rural and grassroots communities where internet access might be limited.

One of the initiatives, NAFDAC and Your Health, is designed to educate the public about the dangers associated with fake and unregistered products.

The agency urged consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing herbal remedies, especially those advertised as treatments for serious medical conditions.

It also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious products and manufacturing facilities to the appropriate authorities.

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NAFDAC said the Agege facility remained sealed as investigations continued into the alleged illegal production of herbal products and the use of a falsified registration number.