Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have raided an alleged illegal juice factory in Aradagun, Badagry, Lagos State, arresting two women.
The factory, located on Talabi Onilegbale Street in Aradagun, Olorunda LCDA, was raided around 9 p.m. on September 19, following five days of surveillance.
The NSCDC said the operation followed intelligence about activities at the premises.
According to the corps, the factory produced a drink branded Barkas Juice under Titi Alubarika Trading Stores Ltd.
The NSCDC alleged that the product was unregistered and carried a fake National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration number, 01-2166L.
Operatives found a truck loaded with the drinks at the premises, as well as cartons of the product and rolls of product labels.
The corps also said water used in the production process was sourced from a dirty well within the premises and that an unclean industrial storage tank was found at the facility.
The NSCDC alleged that the products were distributed to Edo State and other parts of Nigeria, raising concerns about the safety of the production process.
NSCDC spokesperson, Oluwaseun Abolurin, said the corps contacted NAFDAC to verify the registration number and was informed that the product was not registered.
He also alleged that the drink contained high levels of sugar, additives and dyes. He did not provide laboratory findings to support the claim.
The raid reportedly faced resistance from some youths in the area, prompting the NSCDC to seek assistance from the Nigerian Army under its inter-agency collaboration framework.
The primary suspect, 48-year-old Morenikeji Alawiye, gave a different account.
Alawiye said the factory was established by her grandmother nearly two decades ago and had previously produced bottled and sachet water.
She said she had been trying to regularise the business before her arrest and had contacted an uncle working with NAFDAC for assistance.
Alawiye also claimed that a prospective customer in The Gambia had expressed interest in having the product manufactured for export.
The NSCDC has not disclosed further details about the charges against the two women or the next steps in the investigation.
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
