Odita Sunday 
NSCDC Arrests Two Women Over Alleged Fake Fruit Juice Factory In Badagry
By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has shut down an alleged illegal fruit juice factory in Badagry after five days of surveillance, arresting two women suspected of producing and distributing adulterated “Barkas Juice”.
The operation, which was carried out between Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday, followed intelligence gathered by the NSCDC’s Badagry operatives, who worked with an Army formation in the area to secure the location and prevent attempts by some youths to disrupt the operation.
The two suspects, whose names were withheld by the Command, are aged 48 and 50. NSCDC said the alleged owner of the business, 48, told investigators that the venture had been passed down to her from her grandmother about 20 years ago.
According to the Command, preliminary investigation showed that the product was made mainly with water, high levels of sugar, colourants, dyes and other additives, without real fruit.
NSCDC also said the product was allegedly manufactured in an unhygienic environment and distributed to markets in Lagos, Benin City, Edo State, and other parts of the country.
Among the items recovered at the premises were a truck, cartons of the suspected adulterated juice, production machinery, chemicals, drums and gas cylinders.
The Command also alleged that the product was being sold with a purportedly fake NAFDAC registration number, 01-2166L.
The NSCDC said the operation was aided by information from residents, following sustained community engagement by the Command aimed at encouraging members of the public to report suspicious activities.
State Commandant, NSCDC Lagos Command, Mr Adedotun Keshinro, fnarc, said the suspects would undergo further investigation before being prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Keshinro also ordered the immediate closure of the unregistered factory, saying the action was necessary to prevent the alleged adulterated products from reaching more unsuspecting consumers.
He added that the Command would work with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant agencies to ensure that the matter was properly investigated and prosecuted.
The NSCDC urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information that could help security and regulatory agencies tackle the production and distribution of potentially harmful consumer products.
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