NAFDAC Busts Fake Missionary Healthcare Syndicate in Port Harcourt, Arrests Woman Over Distribution of Dangerous, Unregistered Drugs
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has once again demonstrated its commitment to protecting public health as it dismantled a criminal syndicate disguising itself as a group of missionaries and free healthcare providers in the Abuloma area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This syndicate had been operating under the deceptive guise of offering free medical services and spiritual healing, while in reality administering unverified, fake pharmaceutical products to unsuspecting members of the public.
According to the agency, the criminals lured people with claims of divine healing, using religious evangelism as a front to distribute unregistered and potentially dangerous substances, including tablets, eye drops, and so-called “cleansers.” The operation led to the arrest of one woman, identified as Mrs. Gladys Theophilus, who was found administering the fake products at a community town hall located on Jetty Road in the Abuloma axis.
The Director of NAFDAC’s South-South Zone, Mr. Chukwuma Oligbu, made this known to journalists during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday. He disclosed that the successful raid was the result of actionable intelligence provided by concerned and vigilant members of the public, who noticed suspicious activities being carried out by the group under the pretense of religious and charitable healthcare services.
False Hope: Evangelism as a Tool for Deception
Oligbu explained that the syndicate had established itself in the Abuloma community under the guise of a religious mission offering “divine healing” through special “anointed” drugs. These fake healthcare providers claimed their products could treat a long list of medical conditions, some of which require complex and prolonged medical intervention. They reportedly handed out products such as “Evangelist Jenkins’ Supernatural Water,” “Evangelist Jenkins’ Cleanser,” and “Evangelist Jenkins’ Eye Drop,” promoting them as miraculous remedies for ailments such as cancer, arthritis, fibroids, cataracts, glaucoma, goiter, and even skin rashes.
The NAFDAC official raised the alarm over the bold claims made by the syndicate, noting that none of the products being distributed had NAFDAC registration numbers. This meant that the origin, composition, safety, and efficacy of these substances could not be verified by any legal or medical standards. The packaging of the items was crude and lacked basic information required for any certified pharmaceutical product.
“The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has uncovered the activities of some unscrupulous elements posing as missionaries and free healthcare providers at a town hall in Abuloma, Port Harcourt,” Oligbu said. “They used evangelism as a cover to distribute fake and unregistered drugs to unsuspecting members of the public.”
Dangerous Consequences: Patients Report Swelling, Pain, and Side Effects
According to testimonies gathered by NAFDAC during its preliminary investigation, several victims of the fake eye drops experienced adverse reactions, including painful swelling of the eyes. Shockingly, the fake healthcare providers brushed aside these alarming symptoms, telling victims that the pain and swelling were signs that the drug was “working.” They allegedly assured patients that the swelling indicated impurities were being flushed out, which would eventually emerge as mucus or liquid discharge.
This dangerous narrative not only delayed victims from seeking professional medical attention but also put them at serious risk of long-term damage. Eye conditions like cataracts and glaucoma are sensitive ailments that require proper diagnosis and regulated treatment. Applying unverified substances to the eyes can lead to irreversible blindness or severe infections.
“This is not just fraud, it is wickedness of the highest order,” Oligbu stated. “People trust these individuals because they come in the name of religion and offer free services. But behind the curtain, it is all about deception and exploitation. Some of these victims could have permanent damage from using these so-called drugs.”
The Raid: Arrest and Confiscation of Fake Medical Products
Upon receiving the tip-off from vigilant members of the community, NAFDAC quickly mobilized a team led by the State Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Onogwu. On Friday, they stormed the venue — a community town hall — where the syndicate had set up operations. Dozens of unsuspecting individuals were reportedly waiting to receive treatment.
The NAFDAC team met Mrs. Gladys Theophilus actively administering the fake products to waiting individuals. She was promptly apprehended. According to NAFDAC officials, Mrs. Theophilus appeared to be the frontwoman in the absence of the group’s ringleader — the so-called “doctor,” who claimed over the phone to be out of the state at the time of the raid. His identity is yet to be disclosed pending ongoing investigations.
A significant cache of fake products was confiscated from the scene. The seized items have since been transferred to the NAFDAC Zonal Office located on Woji Road, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt, for further analysis and documentation.
Legal Proceedings and Further Investigations
Speaking on the legal implications of the raid, Mr. Oligbu confirmed that Mrs. Theophilus would face prosecution and would be charged in court. Meanwhile, efforts are being intensified to track down other members of the syndicate who are currently on the run.
“She will be charged to court as soon as preliminary investigations are concluded,” the South-South Zonal Director stated. “This is a matter of public safety, and the law must take its course. We will also pursue every lead to arrest and prosecute the masterminds of this operation.”
Oligbu reiterated that the agency has zero tolerance for the distribution and sale of counterfeit and substandard drugs, warning that anyone caught engaging in such acts would face the full wrath of the law.
A Word of Caution to the Public
In his address to the public, Mr. Oligbu issued a stern warning against falling prey to fraudulent healthcare providers and self-proclaimed evangelists claiming to offer divine healing. He emphasized that products not approved or certified by NAFDAC pose a serious threat to public health and should be avoided.
“I hereby warn the general public to beware of these unscrupulous individuals who go around disguising as evangelists and missionaries to sell concoctions in the name of medicine,” he said. “These substances have not been registered or tested. Anyone patronizing them is doing so at their own risk.”
He called on Nigerians to be more cautious and to always verify the authenticity of medical products before using them. Oligbu urged members of the public to promptly report any suspicious activities or the sale of unregistered drugs to the nearest NAFDAC office or via the agency’s official communication channels.
“Our mandate is clear: we are here to safeguard the health of the nation. That is a commitment we take seriously,” he concluded.
The Broader Implication: Faith, Health, and Vulnerability
The incident in Port Harcourt sheds light on a troubling trend across parts of Nigeria where vulnerable populations fall victim to fraudulent schemes masked as religious or humanitarian initiatives. The blending of spirituality and healthcare — especially in areas with limited access to quality medical services — creates fertile ground for exploitation.
Many Nigerians, particularly those in underserved communities, are often desperate for healthcare solutions. This desperation makes them susceptible to dubious claims, especially when presented in religious or spiritual contexts. Fraudsters exploit this vulnerability, knowing that many people would trust an “evangelist” or “missionary” before they trust a government institution or medical professional.
While genuine religious missions have made significant contributions to healthcare in Nigeria — running hospitals, clinics, and community health outreach programs — the rise of impostors peddling fake miracles in the form of drugs poses a serious danger.
This case calls for increased vigilance, not just from law enforcement and regulatory bodies, but from communities themselves. Public awareness campaigns must be stepped up, and local leaders — religious and traditional — must be involved in helping people differentiate between legitimate service providers and criminals.
NAFDAC’s Broader War Against Counterfeit Products
This incident in Abuloma is just one of many cases being handled by NAFDAC across Nigeria. The agency has, over the years, intensified its fight against counterfeit and substandard products in various forms, including pharmaceuticals, food items, and cosmetics. With growing sophistication among criminal networks, NAFDAC has had to rely heavily on community intelligence, technology, and cross-agency collaboration.
In 2024 alone, the agency carried out dozens of successful operations across states including Lagos, Kano, Enugu, and Abuja, where illegal manufacturing hubs and distribution networks were uncovered. Yet, as this latest case shows, perpetrators continue to evolve in their methods — using trust-based platforms like religion and charity as tools of deception.
Final Words
The successful crackdown on the fake missionary healthcare syndicate in Port Harcourt is a powerful reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance in the health sector. While the swift intervention of NAFDAC likely saved many from harm, it also exposed a dangerous nexus of fraud and spiritual manipulation.
Authorities must not only prosecute the perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law but also continue to educate the public, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, on how to recognize and report unsafe medical practices. Trust in healthcare must be rebuilt on the foundation of science, ethics, and transparency — not fear, desperation, or blind faith.
As NAFDAC has reaffirmed, the safety of the Nigerian people remains its top priority, and it will stop at nothing to dismantle every network that threatens that safety.