The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has shut down a suspected fake fruit juice factory in Badagry and arrested two women allegedly involved in the production and distribution of the products.
The suspects, whose names were withheld, are aged 48 and 50. They were arrested after NSCDC operatives conducted about five days of surveillance before swooping on the suspected illegal factory.
According to the Civil Defence Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, in a statement released on Monday, the operation, which took place between Saturday, September 19, and the early hours of Sunday, September 20, 2026, was carried out by the Corps’ Badagry operatives in collaboration with a Nigerian Army formation in the area.
He stated that the operation followed intelligence gathered through the Command’s community engagement initiatives, which have helped strengthen information and intelligence sharing between residents and NSCDC formations across the state.
Abolurin said the operatives encountered resistance from some violent youths who attempted to prevent the operation, but the threats were contained with the support of the military.
He said the two women were allegedly caught in the act at the factory, where fake fruit juice, popularly known as “Barkas Juice,” was being produced.
Abolurin said preliminary investigation showed that the product contained high levels of sugar, water, colourants, dyes and other additives, without real fruit.
The NSCDC spokesperson said the production was allegedly carried out in a highly unhygienic environment, while the products were distributed to markets in Lagos, Benin City in Edo State and other parts of the country.
He added that the products were allegedly being marketed with a supposedly fake NAFDAC number, “01-2166L”.
The lead suspect and alleged owner of the business, a 48-year-old woman, reportedly told investigators that her grandmother started the business with water production before it was later upgraded to the production of Barkas fruit juice.
She allegedly said she inherited the business from her grandmother about 20 years ago.
Abolurin said exhibits recovered from the scene included a truck, cartons of the suspected fake fruit juice, machinery, chemicals, drums and a gas cylinder, among other items.
He said the production, sale and distribution of fake fruit juice could expose consumers to serious health risks, stressing the need for consumers to exercise caution when purchasing food and beverage products.
The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Adedotun Keshinro, fnarc, directed that the unregistered factory be shut down immediately to prevent further distribution of the suspected adulterated products.
Keshinro said the suspects would undergo further investigation and be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He also directed the Command to collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant agencies to ensure that the matter was properly investigated and justice served.
Abolurin said the NSCDC would continue to work with communities and relevant agencies to identify and disrupt activities that could endanger public safety and consumer health.
He said the Command’s sustained community engagement remained important in building public trust and encouraging residents to provide timely information on suspicious activities.
