Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) issued a warning on Friday regarding a syndicate engaged in the illicit importation of banned crusader soaps containing mercury into Nigeria. Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, revealed this information to the press in Lagos, emphasizing that the syndicate had used counterfeit customs documents to smuggle the prohibited product into the country.
Adeyeye clarified that NAFDAC had banned the importation of crusader soaps years ago due to its mercury content, a hazardous substance to human health and the environment.
She stated, “In the course of its regulatory activities, the investigation and enforcement (I&E) Directorate of NAFDAC has discovered a syndicate that specializes in importing banned Crusader soaps containing Mercury. The syndicate uses forged customs documents to import the product into the country. Further investigation through the Ports show that the banned Crusader soap was imported seven times in 2021 alone and each consignment is not less than 3 containers with four thousand, five hundred cartons of the soap. These products have found their way into various supermarkets and cosmetics shops with unsuspecting members of the public patronizing them.”
She continued, “Acting on intelligence, I&E Directorate in August 2023 busted a warehouse in trade fair market, which was filled with banned imported soaps. Three (3) trailer-load of imported crusader medicated soap and mekako soap totaling 4,000 cartons by 12 packs by 12 tablet soap were evacuated from the warehouse, while some suspects were arrested in connection with the case. The street value of the evacuated products is approximately one billion naira.”
Adeyeye explained that this successful raid came after three previous failed attempts, as the cartel continuously relied on informants to relocate the crusader soap shipments to different locations in Lagos in order to avoid detection. In her words, “It is to be noted that the successful busting of the warehouse came after three failed attempts, as the cartel using their own informants were continuously relocating the consignment of soap to different locations in Lagos to prevent the discovery of the products by the determined team of investigators from NAFDAC investigation and enforcement team.”
She highlighted that the presence of mercury in cosmetics is a matter of global concern due to the well-documented health risks it poses to both human health and the environment. The arrested suspects will face legal charges, and efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the syndicate who are currently on the run.
The Director-General also urged Nigerians not to purchase imported soaps and detergents, especially those containing mercury, and encouraged them to report any violations to the nearest NAFDAC office. She went on to assure Nigerians that NAFDAC will not relent to ensure that only quality, safe, and efficacious medicines, wholesome foods, and cosmetics of the right quality are sold in Nigeria.