The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sought stronger collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers and stakeholders in Yobe to curb counterfeit drugs.

Chike Livinus, North-East zonal director of NAFDAC, made the call on Monday during a courtesy visit to security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Damaturu.

He said the agency considered Yobe strategic because of its vast borders, stressing that counterfeit drugs and adulterated food products posed grave health and security challenges.

“The infiltration of counterfeit drugs in the supply chain poses public health dangers. We solicit stronger cooperation from security agencies to combat this menace,” he said.

Mr Livinus commended the Nigeria Police Force for its support to NAFDAC operations and urged sustained partnership in efforts to curb counterfeit and substandard products.

Responding, the commissioner of police in Yobe, Emmanuel Ado, reaffirmed the police commitment to back NAFDAC’s regulatory responsibilities across the state.

“We have been working closely with NAFDAC and will continue to provide backup whenever required. The spread of substandard drugs is a serious societal threat,” he said.

The secretary to the state government, Baba Malam-Wali, praised NAFDAC’s efforts in seizing adulterated products from markets and said government had provided office space and logistics to aid operations.

He called for more federal support to establish additional offices and recruit indigenous staff, stressing that this would strengthen the agency’s regulatory presence across Yobe.

Also speaking, the Emir of Damaturu, Shehu El-Kanemi, pledged the support of the traditional institution to NAFDAC’s regulatory mandate.

He described the agency’s efforts in controlling substandard products as commendable and urged closer collaboration with community leaders for wider public impact.

The emir further called on NAFDAC’s leadership to prioritise the North-East zone, citing its peculiar challenges of porous borders and insecurity.

The zonal director’s visit aimed to deepen the partnership with stakeholders in Yobe to safeguard health and strengthen enforcement.

(NAN)