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.
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