The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismantled a clandestine counterfeit beverage production operation at Zamfara Plaza, BBA Trade Fair Complex, along the Badagry Expressway in Ojo, Lagos State.
Following a targeted intelligence and surveillance operation, officers from NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate raided a two-storey building, arresting two primary suspects caught in the act of repackaging and manufacturing fake energy drinks, wine, and high-end spirits.
The arrested individuals, identified as Chibuzor Okafor and William John, were apprehended alongside illicit processing equipment, including mixing drums, industrial filters, packaging materials, and heating devices.
The raid comes as part of NAFDAC’s intensified seasonal push ahead of festive holidays, a period historically marked by increased consumer demand for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Officials stressed that unverified and adulterated beverages present severe health risks to consumers. Confiscated items have been evacuated to NAFDAC storage facilities for forensic analysis and destruction. The agency confirmed that the suspects will face administrative sanctions and criminal prosecution. Full investigations are ongoing to track financial backers and raw material suppliers.
Speaking at the scene, Mr. Kunle Ojo, Assistant Director of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, emphasized the agency’s resolve: “What we have discovered today is mind-boggling. We are here to protect the lives of Nigerians, and those compromising public safety for financial gain will face the full extent of the law.”
NAFDAC representatives, including Deputy Director of Public Relations Mrs. Christiana Obiazikwor and Head of Public Relations (Investigation & Enforcement) Mrs. Victoria Jennifer Akudu, urged members of the public to report suspected illicit manufacturing directly to NAFDAC rather than spreading unverified claims on social media. The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting whistleblowers’ identities.
