FCID, NAFDAC deepen alliance to combat counterfeit drugs, boost investigative capacity

The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have strengthened their partnership to intensify the fight against counterfeit and substandard food, drugs and other regulated products threatening public health and the nation’s economy.

The renewed commitment was reaffirmed Thursday when the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of FCID Annex, Simeon U. Akpanudom, paid a courtesy visit to the NAFDAC Directorate of Investigation and Enforcement in Lagos.

Receiving the police delegation, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, described the collaboration as a major step towards improving enforcement against criminal networks involved in the manufacture and distribution of fake regulated products.

Speaking during the visit, AIG Akpanudom applauded the cordial relationship between both agencies, stating that continuous knowledge-sharing and inter-agency cooperation remain essential in tackling increasingly sophisticated crimes.

He unveiled a proposed training programme to be coordinated by a five-member FCID Annex team led by DCP Agbo, the Commissioner of Police, Forensic, in collaboration with NAFDAC officials. The programme will focus on forensic science, investigative techniques, public health protection and strategies for combating counterfeit food, drugs, beverages, cosmetics and other regulated products.

The police chief also urged that FCID officers be included among participants in the exercise, maintaining that acquiring knowledge is indispensable to effective policing.

“There is no waste in acquiring knowledge,” he said, adding that the training would strengthen investigators’ capacity while contributing to a safer and healthier society.