The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has advocated for the death penalty for drug peddlers, particularly those whose activities lead to the deaths of children.
Speaking over the weekend, Adeyeye emphasized the need for stricter punishments to deter the distribution of harmful and substandard medications.
She described the perpetrators as “merchants of death” who prioritize illicit profits over human lives.
According to her, only severe penalties would effectively curb the growing menace of fake drugs.
She cited a case where an individual was caught importing dangerously high doses of Tramadol, a powerful drug with life-threatening effects.
Despite the seriousness of the crime, the offender received a minimal sentence of just five years in prison or an option to pay a fine of N250,000.
“Who wouldn’t pay a fine of N250,000 and go on to commit the same offense?” she questioned, stressing that such lenient punishments do little to deter criminals.
Adeyeye further criticized the current legal framework, arguing that it does not adequately protect the public, particularly children, who are often the most vulnerable victims of counterfeit drugs.
She also disclosed that NAFDAC is working closely with lawmakers who have pledged to collaborate with the agency in pushing for tougher penalties against drug peddlers.
This, she noted, would help curb the widespread distribution of counterfeit medications in Nigeria.
In addition to regulatory challenges, Adeyeye expressed concern over the agency’s limited resources.
She revealed that NAFDAC operates with a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees, meaning each staff member serves about 119,000 Nigerians based on the country’s current population.
“We are understaffed, and our funding is limited. I hope things will improve so we can strengthen our efforts,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that those responsible for distributing dangerous drugs face the full weight of the law.
