Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have raided a factory producing adulterated and fake fruit juice in Onilegbale, Alabi Aradagun area of Badagry, Lagos State, and arrested two women.

This was disclosed in a video posted on CityMood Badagry’s X page on Monday, showing NSCDC operatives parading the suspects alongside exhibits recovered from the factory.

An NSCDC operative, whose name was not mentioned, said the illegal products were not only sold in Lagos markets but also distributed to Edo State and other parts of the country.

He said the two suspects, aged between 48 and 50, whose names were withheld, engaged underage boys and girls between 15 and 16 years old to help produce and package 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,” he said.

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“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 products, packaged under the brand name Barkas, were found packed and loaded in containers, and largely contained high levels of sugar, water, additives, dyes and colourants.

He said a check on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control portal showed that the products could not be found, an indication that they were not registered or that the registration had lapsed.

“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 suspects, whose identity was also withheld, told the NSCDC operatives that the factory was established by her grandmother and had been registered before it was shut down over unspecified challenges.

“This factory was founded by my grandma, and the produce was registered. Then, after some challenges, the factory was shut down,” she said.

She said the factory did not produce daily but supplied products outside Lagos three to four times a year, adding that the business had run for almost 20 years and that the Lagos shop belonged to her.

The NSCDC operative said further investigation would be carried out and that the matter would be charged to a court of jurisdiction.

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