Police shut down fake drug factory in Ojo, hunt for mastermind

Operation exposes large-scale production of counterfeit medicines, highlighting risks to public health

The Lagos State Police Command has successfully uncovered and sealed a major counterfeit drug manufacturing site in Ojo, Lagos, in a breakthrough operation aimed at protecting public health.

Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, said the facility, located on Alhaji Oki Road, Mosafejo, had been producing fake pharmaceutical products, including orally administered drugs that posed serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers.

“The last floor of the three-storey building was where these items were being produced illegally. Machines used to alter drug expiry dates and repackage expired products were also recovered,” Jimoh explained.

The police-led operation was carried out under Nigerian law, in collaboration with relevant agencies. While several counterfeit items were seized, the alleged mastermind behind the operation remains at large, and investigators are working to track him down.

Jimoh warned members of the public to exercise caution when buying medicines, stressing the importance of verifying drug authenticity. “Fake drugs injure and endanger thousands of lives. Consumers must be very careful about where they buy their drugs. If you have doubts, verify before you buy,” he said.

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He also commended community members and officers whose credible intelligence led to the successful raid, emphasizing the role of public cooperation in crime prevention.

“The success of this operation is a result of actionable intelligence. Once information is provided to the police, we ensure protection. Our fight against counterfeit drugs remains a top priority,” he added.

Investigations are ongoing, with the police promising more arrests as they work to dismantle the networks responsible for distributing counterfeit medical products.