NAFDAC uncovers illegal cosmetics factory inside Lagos military barracks

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered an illegal cosmetics manufacturing operation inside a Mammy Market located within a military barracks in Lagos.

NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday, noting that the raid followed a credible tip-off and was carried out in collaboration with the military.

Iluyomade said the team met large-scale counterfeiting activities in progress when the factory was discovered.

Equipment, raw materials, mixed chemicals, and imported packaging materials designed to deceive consumers were seized at the scene.

He revealed that five illegal production centres were identified during the operation, with fake products worth over N500 million—loaded into more than five trucks—evacuated from the site.

“One of the suspects was arrested, and investigations are ongoing to track other accomplices,” he said.

“These counterfeiters had been operating inside the mammy market under the cover of security, producing fake cosmetics undetected.”

He praised the military for its partnership with NAFDAC, stressing that the scale of counterfeiting uncovered was “massive,” with teams still evacuating products from the site.

According to him, counterfeiters have become more sophisticated, now producing fake cosmetics locally while using imported packaging materials to make them difficult to distinguish from genuine products.

Iluyomade reaffirmed the commitment of NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to protect public health, warning that the agency will intensify its crackdown on producers and distributors of fake and substandard products.

He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, adding: “Our priority remains safeguarding the health of the nation, and these criminals will have no hiding place.”