Police nab two soldiers, civilians over fake drug factory in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two soldiers and two civilians over their alleged involvement in an illegal pharmaceutical operation uncovered around the Alaba International Market axis of the state.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects were part of a syndicate engaged in the production and distribution of fake and expired drugs to different parts of Lagos.

Some of the illicit products were traced to major drug outlets in FESTAC Town, Satellite Town and Lagos Island.

Sources at the Ojo Police Division said the two soldiers played a crucial role in transporting and distributing the fake drugs on behalf of the manufacturers across the state.

The arrests followed the interception of a vehicle conveying the illegal pharmaceuticals by operatives from the Ojo Police Station, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Omolola Olaifa.

A police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the soldiers were the first to be apprehended while moving the drugs.

The source added that the suspects were initially uncooperative, making investigations difficult by refusing to disclose the source and destination of the products.

However, sustained interrogation and investigative efforts, personally coordinated by CSP Olaifa, eventually led detectives to the location where the drugs were being manufactured.

Further investigations revealed that the original founder of the illegal drug factory is deceased, but the operation has allegedly been continued by his wife alongside other workers.

According to the source, intelligence received in September 2025 indicated the movement of suspicious pharmaceutical products in a commercial bus around the St Patrick bus stop near Alaba International Market.

Acting on the tip-off, detectives were deployed to the area, where two men dressed in military camouflage were arrested with expired drugs in their possession.

As the investigation progressed, the DPO reportedly received several unsolicited phone calls from unidentified individuals offering large sums of money to secure the release of the suspects and halt the investigation.

The source said CSP Olaifa turned down all inducements, citing the serious public health danger posed by fake and expired medicines, and ensured that the matter was transferred to the Lagos State Police Command headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.

Investigations also uncovered that at least five people were actively involved in the production of the fake drugs and in altering expiry dates, with manufacturing activities allegedly carried out mostly at night to evade detection.

Recovered items include ampicillin, promethazine hydrochloride, quinine hydrochloride, several brands of anti-malarial drugs and medical syringes.