The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has arrested two women over the alleged production of adulterated fruit juice known as ‘Barkas Juice’ in Badagry.
The suspects, whose names were withheld, are aged between 48 and 50 and were arrested after operatives of the Badagry Command conducted surveillance on the suspected illegal factory for about five days.
According to the NSCDC, the operation was carried out in collaboration with a Nigerian Army formation in the area after some youths allegedly attempted to prevent the operatives from accessing the premises.
The State Commandant, NSCDC Lagos Command, Adedotun Keshinro, said the operation followed intelligence gathered through the command’s community engagement initiatives.
He said operatives moved in on Saturday night, September 19, and into the early hours of Sunday, September 20, 2026, where they allegedly caught the two suspects in the act.
Keshinro said the lead suspect and alleged owner of the business, whose name was withheld, told investigators that her grandmother initially started a water production business before it was expanded into Barkas fruit juice production, which she inherited about 20 years ago.
Preliminary investigation, according to the NSCDC, showed that the suspected adulterated juice was produced by mixing water, synthetic flavourings, industrial sweeteners, artificial colourants and chemical preservatives without using real fruit.
The command alleged that the products contained high levels of sugar, colourants, dyes and other additives, raising concerns over potential health risks to consumers.
Keshinro further alleged that the products were manufactured under unhygienic conditions and distributed to markets in Lagos, Benin City, Edo State, and other parts of the country.
He said the suspected operators were also using a purported NAFDAC registration number, 01-2166L, on the products.
Exhibits recovered from the premises included a truck, cartons of the suspected fake fruit juice, production machinery, chemicals, drums and a gas cylinder, among other items.
Keshinro said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He also ordered the immediate closure of the unregistered factory to prevent the continued distribution of the suspected adulterated products to unsuspecting consumers.
The commandant added that the NSCDC would collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant agencies as investigations continue.
The NSCDC urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of illegal or unsafe food production to the appropriate authorities.
