The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raided a production facility in Makoko Community, Yaba, Lagos, recovering 1,584 bottles of suspected counterfeit Nivea Roll-On Deodorant.
The raid followed intelligence gathered by the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC on the production, sale and distribution of suspected adulterated and counterfeit Nivea Roll-On products, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
According to the Head of Media, NAFDAC Enforcement Directorate, Victoria Akudu, the agency first busted a market on Lagos Island on August 18, 2026, where suspected counterfeit Nivea Roll-On Deodorants were being sold and distributed.
Two suspects, identified as Basil Ukpa and Ikechukwu Mba, were arrested during the operation for further investigation.
The suspects disclosed that the alleged kingpin manufactured the products at Makoko and supplied some of them to Lagos Island for distribution.
“Further investigation conducted by the enforcement team led to the production site located within Makoko Community, Yaba, Lagos, where the suspected adulteration and counterfeiting activities were taking place,” she said.
At the production site, NAFDAC recovered 1,584 bottles of suspected counterfeit Nivea Roll-On Deodorant, each measuring 50ml, alongside 1,000 empty 50ml Nivea Roll-On bottles, 400 bottle covers, 20 rolls of packaging materials and label stickers.
The agency also recovered a bucket containing an unidentified chemical substance, as well as machines, appliances and other accessories suspected to have been used in the production process.
NAFDAC said all recovered items were evacuated from the premises and taken to its warehouse for safe custody and further regulatory action.
Samples of the products and substances recovered have also been sent to the NAFDAC laboratory for analysis to determine their composition, quality, safety and compliance with applicable regulatory standards.
“The Agency considers the production, sale and distribution of suspected adulterated and counterfeit regulated products a serious threat to public health, as such products may not meet the required standards of quality, safety and efficacy,” Akudu said.
She added that the investigation was ongoing, with further action to be taken in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
NAFDAC also reassured Nigerians of its commitment to protecting public health by ensuring that regulated products available in the country meet the required standards of quality, safety and wholesomeness.
