The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two women suspected of producing and distributing adulterated fruit juice at an illegal factory in the Badagry area of Lagos.
In a video shared online on Tuesday, Adedotun Keshinro, Lagos commandant of the NSCDC, said the operation was conducted on September 19, amid resistance from youths in the area.
He said the factory, located on Talabi Onilegbale street, Aradagun, Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), was allegedly producing fruit juice branded as “Barkas Juice”.
The NSCDC said the products were being distributed within Lagos, Edo and other parts of the country.
“We are parading suspects and exhibits of production, sale and distribution of fake and adulterated fruit juice,” he said.
“Although not only in the Lagos market, but up to Edo state and other parts of Nigeria, unfortunately, two female suspects have been arrested in the operations. The suspects are between the ages of 48 and 50.”
The corps also alleged that children between the ages of 15 and 16 were being engaged in the production of the drinks.
In the video, a truck loaded with the products was seen on the premises, with cartons of the drinks and rolls of product labels inside the bungalow where the products were allegedly manufactured.
Part of the building was reportedly being used as a residence.
The NSCDC said a dirty well was being used as the source of water for the production, while an unclean industrial storage tank was also found on the premises.
Keshinro said the women arrested were between 48 and 50 years old.
He said the products contained sugar, water, additives, dyes and other colouring substances.
Keshinro added that a check of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) portal did not show the “Barkas” brand among registered products.
“Most of the products are full of high-level sugar contents, water, additives, dyes and different colours,” he said.
“And a glimpse and check of the NAFDAC portal to check the validity of these products, what we saw there is that the name of these products cannot be found. The name of this fruit juice ‘Barkas’.”
One of the arrested women said the juice was not produced regularly.
“We produce either three or four times in a year, and we supply even as far as outside Lagos. We have been in this business for as far as 20 years,” she said.
The NSCDC said it would provide further information on the case, adding that the suspects would have their day in court.