The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two women over alleged production of adulterated fruit juice in Badagry and shut down an illegal factory where the product was being manufactured.
The suspects, aged 48 and 50, were arrested during an operation conducted between Saturday night, September 19, and the early hours of Sunday, September 20, 2026, following five days of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The Lagos State Command Public Relations Officer, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the operation was carried out by NSCDC operatives in collaboration with the Nigerian Army formation in Badagry.
According to Abolurin, the operation followed intelligence obtained through the Command’s community engagement efforts, which have strengthened information-sharing between the Corps and residents across Lagos State.
He said the operatives moved in on the suspected factory at about 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and continued the operation into the early hours of Sunday, arresting two female suspects allegedly caught in the act.
The alleged owner of the business, aged 48, revealed that the enterprise was inherited from her grandmother about 20 years ago, who had initially been involved in water production before venturing into the production of the fruit juice known as ‘Barkas Juice’.
Preliminary investigation showed that the fake product was produced from water, synthetic flavourings, industrial sweeteners, colourants, dyes and chemical additives, without the use of real fruit.
The production and distribution were also reportedly carried out in an unhygienic environment, with the product distributed to markets in Lagos, Benin City, Edo State, and other parts of the country.
The NSCDC said the product bore a purportedly fake NAFDAC registration number, 01-2166L.
Items recovered from the premises included a truck, cartons of the alleged adulterated fruit juice, production machinery, chemicals, drums and a gas cylinder.
The Command said the suspected adulterated product could pose serious health risks to consumers, stressing the need to prevent its further circulation.
The Lagos State Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro directed that the unregistered factory be shut down immediately and said the suspects would undergo further investigation and be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Keshinro also said the Command would collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant agencies to ensure that the matter is properly investigated and justice served.
