The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has arrested two women for allegedly producing adulterated fruit juice in Badagry, Lagos State.
The suspects, aged 48 and 50, were apprehended following a five-day surveillance operation carried out by the NSCDC in collaboration with an Army formation in the area.
The Command’s Civil Defence Public Relations Officer, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspects were allegedly involved in the production of a fruit drink branded “Barkas Juice.”
According to the statement, the product was allegedly produced using water, artificial flavourings, sweeteners, colourants and other additives.
Items recovered during the operation included a truck, cartons of the suspected adulterated juice, production machinery, chemicals, drums and a gas cylinder.
The NSCDC said preliminary findings indicated that the product was manufactured under unhygienic conditions, raising concerns about the safety of consumers.
The Command further alleged that the product was being distributed to markets in Lagos, Benin City and other parts of the country.
It added that the suspected fake product was being marketed with a purported NAFDAC registration number, “01-2166L”.
The development has heightened concerns over the production and circulation of unregulated food and beverage products, particularly those manufactured outside approved safety and regulatory standards.
The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, said the suspects would undergo further investigation.
Keshinro added that the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon completion of the investigation.