Operatives of the Ikotun Egbe Police Command have uncovered an illegal drug factory in an uncompleted building in Lagos, where counterfeit malaria tablets were being produced and packaged for distribution across Nigeria.
Newsonspot reports that the owner of the factory, Emeka Madu, 47, a secondary school dropout, was arrested at the scene. According to police, Madu had been producing and selling a fake drug he called “Domaine,” which he claimed was used to treat malaria.
The raid was carried out following a tip-off from residents who noticed suspicious activities in the uncompleted building.
Speaking at the scene, the Police Public Relations Officer, DCP Jimoh Moshood, said the command acted swiftly after intelligence revealed that unregulated drug production was going on in the area.
“We found cartons of already filled bottles, packaging materials, raw chemicals, and machines used for tableting,” DCP Moshood said. “The suspect was arrested while actively producing the fake medicines.”
Police said the facility had no approval from NAFDAC, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, or any health regulatory body.
During interrogation, Madu told police he learned how to produce the drugs from a late friend who was not in the pharmaceutical field.
“I was trained by my friend before he died,” Madu said. “The drug is called Domaine. It is for malaria.”
He admitted that for every carton of 20 filled bottles, his clients pay N15,000.
According to Madu, the fake drugs were being distributed mainly in Onitsha, Anambra State, and other parts of the Southeast.
Investigators believe the network may be larger, and efforts are ongoing to track down distributors and buyers.
Health experts warn that counterfeit malaria drugs like the ones produced by Madu can be deadly.
Fake antimalarials often contain wrong ingredients, incorrect dosages, or harmful chemicals. The https://www.who.int estimates that 1 in 10 medical products in low- and middle-income countries is substandard or falsified.
“Taking fake malaria drugs delays proper treatment,” a pharmacist in Lagos said. “It can lead to drug resistance, organ failure, and even death.”
The fake “Domaine” tablets had no NAFDAC registration number, batch number, or manufacturing date – all required by law.
Addressing journalists at the scene, DCP Jimoh Moshood issued a strong warning to Nigerians.
“We want to sound a note of warning to members of the public to be wary,” he said.
“To go through the process of verifying drugs properly before they buy and consume them.”
He advised citizens to:
1. Buy medicines only from licensed pharmaceutical stores and hospitals
2. Check for NAFDAC registration number on every drug pack
3. Avoid street vendors and open markets for prescription drugs
4. Report suspicious drug sellers to NAFDAC or the police
“Your life is worth more than saving a few naira,” DCP Moshood added.
This is not the first time Lagos has recorded illegal drug production.
In 2024 and 2025, NAFDAC shut down several fake drug factory Lagos operations in Idumota, Trade Fair, and Aba. The agency says counterfeiters are now moving into residential and uncompleted buildings to avoid detection.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has repeatedly warned that fake drugs are a “silent killer” in Nigeria.
The agency has a NAFDAC Greenbook and SMS verification code that allows Nigerians to confirm if a drug is registered. Consumers can text the NAFDAC number on the pack to 35101.
According to police and NAFDAC findings, the business model is simple but dangerous:
1. Production: In hidden locations like Madu’s uncompleted building
2. Packaging: Using labels that mimic real malaria drugs like Domaine
3. Distribution: Sold cheap to wholesalers in major markets like Onitsha
4. Retail: Sold to unsuspecting buyers in pharmacies, chemists, and roadside shops
At N15,000 per carton of 20 bottles, Madu’s Domaine was sold far below the price of genuine antimalarials, making it attractive to cost-conscious buyers.
Under the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act, producing or selling fake drugs in Nigeria attracts up to life imprisonment.
The suspect, Emeka Madu, will be charged to court after investigations are concluded, police said.
DCP Moshood confirmed that further investigation into the matter will continue to identify other members of the syndicate.
“We will not stop until we dismantle the entire chain,” he said.
With rising cost of drugs and economic hardship, many Nigerians are tempted to buy cheap medicines. But experts say the risk is too high.
Here are 4 steps to avoid fake drugs like Domaine:
1. Buy from registered pharmacies only – Look for the PCN license displayed
2. Verify with NAFDAC – Use the SMS code or scan the barcode
3. Check the packaging – Spelling errors, no expiry date, or faded labels are red flags
4. Report – Call NAFDAC 0800-1-NAFDAC or the nearest police station
The arrest of Emeka Madu and the discovery of the fake drug factory in Ikotun Egbe is another reminder that counterfeiters are getting more desperate.
While the suspect claims he was “just trying to survive,” the potential damage from his fake “Domaine” malaria drug could have cost lives across Onitsha and beyond.
Police and NAFDAC say they are stepping up raids, but public vigilance remains the first line of defense.
As DCP Moshood warned: Verify before you buy. Verify before you consume.
Your health depends on it.
