The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected counterfeit drinks production facility at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos State, arresting two suspects in connection with the operation.
The facility was discovered at Zamfara Plaza, BBA Trade Fair Complex, along the Badagry Expressway, during an enforcement operation targeting suspected counterfeit product manufacturers in the market.
The suspects, identified as Okafor and John, were arrested in a two-storey building where officials recovered equipment and materials allegedly used to produce and repackage counterfeit alcoholic and energy drinks.
NAFDAC said the operation followed credible intelligence and surveillance on suspected illegal manufacturers in the area.
Speaking during the raid, the Assistant Director of the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Kunle Ojo, said some of the suspects were allegedly caught in the act.
He disclosed that officials recovered drums, filters, packaging materials, a heating device and other equipment suspected to have been used in the production process.
Ojo said the agency had intensified enforcement activities ahead of the festive season, when demand for alcoholic beverages and other drinks typically increases.
He warned that counterfeit drinks posed serious health risks to consumers, accusing those involved in the trade of endangering lives for financial gain.
The NAFDAC official added that the agency would investigate the sources of the products and raw materials, as well as identify individuals allegedly financing or directing the operation.
He said the recovered products and materials would be taken to the agency’s warehouse for further action, including destruction in line with established procedures.
Ojo also stated that the arrested suspects would face administrative action and possible legal consequences.
He urged Nigerians to provide credible information about suspected counterfeit production facilities, assuring informants that their identities would be protected.
One of the arrested suspects, Okafor, who described himself as a drinks dealer in the market, admitted in an interview with Vanguard at the scene that he changed the bottles in which drinks were packaged.
He claimed the process involved transferring drinks from one bottle to another, explaining that the original bottles or their contents had been damaged.
Meanwhile, the agency’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Christiana Obiazikwor, said NAFDAC continued to conduct surveillance, seize unregistered products, arrest suspects and destroy counterfeit goods.
She explained that many enforcement operations were not publicised to avoid alerting suspected offenders or creating unnecessary public panic.
According to her, journalists were invited to witness the latest operation to demonstrate the agency’s activities and reassure Nigerians of its commitment to protecting public health.
Obiazikwor urged members of the public to report suspected counterfeit products and illegal production facilities directly to NAFDAC rather than rely on social media posts that could spread unverified information.
Similarly, the Assistant Director and Head of Public Relations for Investigation and Enforcement, Victoria Jennifer Akudu, described the raid as part of the agency’s routine enforcement activities.
Akudu disclosed that the suspected operators had allegedly relocated from an earlier site following previous enforcement action, prompting officials to continue monitoring their activities.
She said the agency eventually traced the operation to the new facility, confiscated materials and sealed the premises.
Akudu reassured Nigerians that NAFDAC remained committed to carrying out its statutory responsibilities and urged consumers not to panic but to report suspected counterfeit products.
The agency warned that drinks repackaged under the labels of established brands without proper quality controls could expose consumers to serious health risks.
NAFDAC said the operation formed part of its ongoing efforts to remove counterfeit, adulterated and unregistered products from the Nigerian market.
