The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to combat counterfeit and substandard regulated products.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of FCID Annex, Lagos, Simeon Akpanudom, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the NAFDAC Directorate of Investigation and Enforcement in Lagos.
Akpanudom said the Nigeria Police Force would continue to deepen collaboration with NAFDAC to tackle the growing threat of counterfeit food, drugs, beverages, cosmetics and other regulated products.
He also proposed a joint training programme to be facilitated by a five-member FCID team, focusing on forensic science, investigative techniques, public health protection and strategies for tackling counterfeit products.
According to him, the training would strengthen the investigative capacity of both agencies and enhance the enforcement of laws against offenders.
Responding, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, Dr Martins Iluyomade, welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and in line with the agency’s goal of improving professionalism and operational effectiveness.
Iluyomade said stronger collaboration between law enforcement and regulatory agencies was essential to tackling evolving criminal networks involved in counterfeit products. He added that the partnership would improve investigations, intelligence sharing and prosecution of offenders, while also calling for a stronger database of convicted criminals.
The Deputy Director of the Cosmetics Directorate, Ugwu Declan, also commended the existing partnership, describing it as vital in the fight against counterfeit and substandard regulated products.
