BREAKING: NAFDAC Busts Fake Toothpaste Syndicate, Warns Lagos Consumers to Beware
BREAKING: NAFDAC Busts Fake Toothpaste Syndicate, Warns Lagos Consumers to Beware
Residents of Lagos have been urged to exercise caution when purchasing toothpaste and other oral care products following the discovery of a major counterfeit toothpaste distribution network by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Although the latest operation was carried out in Kano and Sokoto states, NAFDAC warned that counterfeit products often find their way into markets across the country, including commercial hubs such as Lagos, through established distribution channels.
The agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate uncovered the syndicate after intelligence led operatives to Sabon Gari Market in Kano, where a suspected distributor, Adda’u Ismail Isah, was arrested.
Recovered from the suspect were cartons and packets of suspected fake toothpaste brands, including Xtrene Activated Charcoal Whitening Boost, VigorDoctor Charcoal Powder, Kids Vigor Doctor New Formula, Bestever Signal Cavity Fighter and Craote 7.5% Nhap toothpaste.
The investigation later extended to Sokoto, where NAFDAC arrested Anas Ishaka, owner of A.S. Assada Investment Company Limited, alleged to be the major supplier of the counterfeit products.
A search of his shop and warehouses uncovered hundreds of cartons of suspected fake toothpaste, including Xtrene Activated Charcoal Whitening Boost, Claso-up, Duarbar Herb’l, Senceoyne, Creesst Black, Orell-B Pro-Expert, PRO Complete, Mild and Clinic, as well as Oracire+ toothpaste.
According to a statement issued by the Head of the Public Relations Unit of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Victoria Akudu, preliminary investigations showed that Ishaka admitted ownership of the products and confessed that they were imported from China.
The agency said investigations are continuing and promised to impose appropriate regulatory sanctions after the probe is concluded.
For Lagos residents, the development serves as a reminder to buy toothpaste and other regulated products only from reputable supermarkets, pharmacies and authorised distributors, while checking for valid NAFDAC registration numbers, intact packaging, batch numbers and expiry dates before purchase. NAFDAC has repeatedly warned that counterfeit oral care products may not meet safety and quality standards and could pose health risks to consumers.
The agency urged members of the public to report any suspected counterfeit products to the nearest NAFDAC office through its official communication channels, reaffirming its commitment to protecting Nigerians from fake and substandard products.
