The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has confiscated suspected counterfeit cosmetics and other regulated products during an enforcement operation at Igbudu Market in Warri, Delta State.

The agency said the operation was conducted following intelligence reports about the proliferation of counterfeit regulated products in the market. The exercise took place on Friday, with officers acting on identified shops and locations in the popular market.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Saturday, NAFDAC said its officers from the Asaba Zonal Office led the operation, which was supported by personnel of the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army and the market union.

The team visited identified shops and locations, where suspected counterfeit products were discovered and evacuated. The agency said the operation was carried out diligently and in line with its enforcement mandate.

Among the seized items were cosmetics bearing the brand names of Listerine and Nivea. Items confiscated included suspected counterfeit cosmetics, including products bearing the Listerine and Nivea brand names, the agency said. Other items included products bearing the SC Johnson brand name, KY Jelly lubricant and other regulated products. The seized goods were evacuated from the market for further investigation.

NAFDAC also warned members of the public against purchasing KY Jelly lubricant currently found in circulation, saying the product marketing authorisation holders had confirmed that the last authorised supply was made more than five years ago. According to the product Marketing Authorisation Holders, the last authorised supply was over five years ago, therefore, any such product currently found in the market should be treated as suspect, the agency said. Consumers were urged to check registration details and report suspicious products.

The agency also dismissed social media reports claiming that its officers were attacked or chased out of the market during the operation. NAFDAC said the exercise was successfully completed, adding that its personnel accessed all identified locations and evacuated the offending products. The agency also refutes social media claims that its officers were attacked or chased out of the market. The operation was successfully completed, with officers accessing all identified locations and evacuating the offending products, the agency added.

The denial follows earlier reports of a clash on Friday, when some youths in the market allegedly resisted NAFDAC officials during an inspection of shops suspected of selling fake drugs. Reports said the youths insisted that no law enforcement officer could enter the community to make an arrest without their permission, causing tension in the market. NAFDAC did not confirm any injury to its officers, and maintained that the later enforcement exercise was concluded without disruption.

NAFDAC urged traders and consumers to support the fight against counterfeit products, warning that fake cosmetics and drugs pose serious risks to public health. The agency said it will continue intelligence led enforcement operations across markets in Delta State and other parts of the country. It advised the public to buy regulated products only from reputable outlets and to report suspected counterfeit products to NAFDAC through its official channels.