The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has taken action against a factory in Onilegbale, Alabi Aradagun area of Badagry, Lagos State, that was producing fake and contaminated fruit juice. A video shared on CityMood Badagry's X page showed NSCDC officials presenting the suspects along with items seized from the factory. The NSCDC operation resulted in the arrest of two women.
According to an NSCDC officer, the illegal products were not only sold in Lagos markets but were also sent to Edo State and other regions across the country. The products were sold under the brand name Barkas and were discovered packed in containers. The officer stated that the products contained high amounts of sugar, water, additives, dyes, and colorants.
The NSCDC officer mentioned that the two arrested women, aged between 48 and 50, hired underage boys and girls between 15 and 16 years old to assist in producing and packaging the drinks. The officer emphasized that the factory was operating illegally, as a check on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) portal revealed that the products were not listed.
One of the suspects informed NSCDC officers that her grandmother started the factory and it had been registered before closing due to unspecified issues. The suspect claimed that the factory did not produce every day but supplied products outside Lagos three to four times a year. She mentioned that the business had been running for nearly 20 years.
The suspect also claimed ownership of the shop in Lagos. However, the NSCDC officer indicated that further investigations would take place and that legal action would be pursued in an appropriate court. The officer emphasized that the NSCDC would not tolerate the production and distribution of fake and contaminated products.
The NSCDC operation is a significant blow to the production and distribution of fake and contaminated products in Nigeria. The arrest of the two women and the seizure of the products are a testament to the NSCDC's commitment to protecting the public from harm. The incident highlights the need for regulatory agencies to monitor and control the production and distribution of food and drink products.
The NSCDC has urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of food and drink products in Nigeria. The NSCDC has promised to continue to work with other agencies to ensure that producers and distributors of fake and contaminated products are brought to justice.
Key points
- Two women were arrested for producing and distributing fake and contaminated fruit juice in Lagos.
- The products were sold under the brand name Barkas and contained high amounts of sugar, water, additives, dyes, and colorants.
- The factory had been operating for nearly 20 years, despite not being registered with NAFDAC.
