NSCDC Shuts Badagry Factory, Arrests Two Women Over Alleged Fake Fruit Juice Production
Two women have been arrested and a suspected illegal fruit juice factory shut down in Badagry, Lagos State, after operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) allegedly uncovered the production of adulterated fruit juice in an unhygienic environment.
The development has raised fresh concerns about the safety of beverages reaching consumers, particularly products that may look like ordinary fruit drinks on shop shelves but are allegedly produced without real fruit and under questionable sanitary conditions.
The suspects, aged 48 and 50, were arrested following about five days of surveillance and intelligence gathering by NSCDC operatives. The operation, carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, took place between Saturday night, September 19, and the early hours of Sunday, September 20, 2026.
According to the NSCDC, the factory was allegedly producing a fruit drink popularly known as “Barkas Juice” using water, synthetic flavourings, industrial sweeteners, artificial colourants, dyes and chemical additives, rather than real fruit.
The Corps said preliminary investigations indicated that the products were manufactured in an unhygienic environment and allegedly supplied to markets in Lagos, Benin City, Edo State, and other parts of the country.
Adding to the concerns, the NSCDC said a suspected fake NAFDAC registration number was displayed on the products.
For consumers, the discovery highlights the risks that can arise when food and beverage products are manufactured outside approved regulatory and sanitary standards. It also underscores the importance of checking product labels and buying food and drinks from trusted sources.
The alleged owner of the business, a 48-year-old woman, reportedly told investigators that she inherited the business from her grandmother about 20 years ago. According to her account, the venture initially focused on water production before expanding into fruit juice manufacturing.
NSCDC operatives recovered cartons of the suspected adulterated juice, machinery, chemicals, drums, gas cylinders and a truck from the premises.
Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr 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 protect unsuspecting consumers.
Keshinro added that the NSCDC would work with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and appropriate legal action.
The case also puts a spotlight on the need for stronger enforcement along the food-production and distribution chain, as unsafe products can move beyond the point of manufacture and reach consumers in different communities and states.
For families buying beverages for children and other members of the household, the Badagry operation is a reminder that what appears to be an ordinary fruit drink may require closer attention to its source, registration details, packaging and overall quality.
