NSCDC busts fake juice factory in Lagos, arrests two

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, has busted an illegal factory in the Badagry area of Lagos State where adulterated fruit juice, branded as “Barkas Juice,” was allegedly being produced.

Two women, aged 48 and 50, were arrested in connection with the operation.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluwaseun Abolurin, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the suspects were arrested after operatives from the Badagry area conducted about five days of surveillance in collaboration with a Nigerian Army formation in the area.

According to the NSCDC, preliminary investigation showed that the product contained high levels of sugar, water, colourants, dyes and additives, without real fruit.

The Corps said the juice was produced in a highly unhygienic environment and distributed to markets in Lagos, Benin City, Edo State, and other parts of the country.

It added that the product was being marketed with a NAFDAC registration number, 01-2166L, which it suspected was fake.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, today, Monday, 21st September, 2026, paraded two female suspects (names withheld) between the ages of 48 and 50 linked to the production of fake fruit juice known as ‘Barkas Juice.’

“Fake fruit juice production involves mixing water, synthetic chemical flavourings, industrial sweeteners, artificial colourants, and chemical preservatives and completely omitting real fruit.”

The NSCDC said the lead suspect confessed that her grandmother started the business as a water production venture before it was expanded into the production of Barkas fruit juice, which she said she inherited about 20 years ago.

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Items recovered from the factory included a truck, cartons of the Barkas fruit juice, machinery, chemicals, drums and a gas cylinder.

The Corps said the raid was conducted between 9pm on Saturday and midnight on Sunday.

It further stated that preliminary investigation showed that the product contained high levels of sugar, water, colourants, dyes and additives, which it described as harmful to human health.

The statement added that the alleged consumption of fake products such as the juice could have serious health consequences, including Type 2 diabetes and liver and kidney failure.

The development comes amid concerns over the circulation of counterfeit and substandard food, drugs, cosmetics and other consumer products in the country.

The Lagos State NSCDC Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, said the suspects would undergo further investigation and be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He also ordered the immediate closure of the unregistered factory to prevent the alleged adulterated products from reaching more consumers.

Keshinro assured that the command would collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and other relevant agencies to ensure that justice was served.