Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have uncovered a factory allegedly involved in the production of adulterated and counterfeit fruit juice in Onilegbale, Alabi Aradagun, Badagry, Lagos State.
Two women were arrested during the operation, which was captured in a video posted on CityMood Badagry’s X page on Monday. The footage showed NSCDC personnel displaying the suspects alongside items recovered from the facility.
An NSCDC operative, who did not reveal his identity, alleged that the products were being supplied to markets across Lagos, Edo State and other parts of the country.
According to him, the two women, aged between 48 and 50, allegedly engaged minors aged 15 and 16 to participate in the production and packaging of the drinks.
“We are here today at Alabi Aradagun, particularly in Onilegbale, in Badagry area of Lagos State. We are parading successfully suspects and exhibits in the illegal production, sale and distribution of adulterated and fake fruit juice, not only in Lagos markets but up to Edo State and other parts of Nigeria,” the operative said.
“Unfortunately, two female suspects were apprehended, linked to this production, sale and distribution. Their names are withheld, and they are between the ages of 48 and 50. They hire the services of juveniles, underage boys and girls, between the ages of 15 and 16,” he added.
The operative said the drinks were produced and packaged under the brand name Barkas, with several containers found filled and stored within the premises.
He added that an initial assessment indicated the products contained significant amounts of sugar, water, additives, dyes and colourants.
He further stated that checks on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) database did not show any registration details for the products.
“A glimpse on the NAFDAC portal to check the validity of these products, what we saw there is that the products cannot be found,” he said.
One of the arrested women, however, gave a different account, claiming that the factory was originally established by her grandmother and that the products had been registered in the past.
“This factory was founded by my grandma, and the produce was registered. Then, after some challenges, the factory was shut down,” she said.
She also claimed that production was not a daily activity and that supplies were transported outside Lagos roughly three or four times annually.
The woman further alleged that the business had been in existence for nearly two decades and maintained that the Lagos shop belonged to her.
The NSCDC operative said investigations would continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the operation, adding that the suspects would be prosecuted before a court of competent jurisdiction.
