Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos State Command have uncovered an illegal factory in Badagry where fake Barkas fruit juice was allegedly produced using water, chemicals, colourants and sweeteners instead of real fruit. Two women, aged 48 and 50, were arrested during the raid, and the factory has been shut down.
Raid Followed Five Days of Surveillance
The operation was carried out on the night of Saturday, 19 September, and the early hours of Sunday, 20 September, 2026, following about five days of surveillance by NSCDC officers working alongside personnel of the Nigerian Army. According to the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, the breakthrough was made possible through intelligence provided by members of the public.
“As a result of the above, operatives of the Corps swiftly moves in to bust the illegal factory at 09:00PM on Saturday, 19 and Sunday, 20, September, 2026 at midnight hours where two female suspects were caught in the act immediately,” Keshinro stated.
During the raid, some youths allegedly tried to resist the operation, but security operatives successfully carried out the raid and shut the factory down. The lead suspect, aged 48, who is the owner of the business, reportedly confessed that her grandmother started off with water production, which later upgraded to Barkas fruit juice production inherited from her grandmother about 20 years ago.
Health Risks and Fake NAFDAC Registration
Investigators said preliminary findings showed the drink allegedly contained high levels of sugar, water, dyes, colourants and additives instead of actual fruit. According to the agency, consuming products made with unsafe ingredients or produced under unhygienic conditions could expose consumers to serious health risks, including Type 2 diabetes and damage to vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.
Keshinro also alleged that the products carried a fake registration number supposedly belonging to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). “Also, the production, sale and distribution of this fake fruit juice with a supposedly fake National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC NO: 01 – 2166L is done under a high level unhygienic environment with wide distribution to Lagos markets, Benin City in Edo State and many other States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Keshinro stated.
Factory Shut Down, Suspects to Face Prosecution
Authorities uncovered fake NAFDAC registration numbers printed on packaged containers meant for distribution across several Nigerian states. During the operation, security operatives recovered a truck, cartons of the alleged fake Barkas juice, production machines, chemical substances, drums, gas cylinders and other items believed to have been used in the manufacturing process.
The NSCDC has ordered the immediate closure of the factory to prevent more products from getting into the market. Keshinro said the two suspects will be prosecuted in line with the law, adding that the command will work with NAFDAC and other relevant agencies to investigate the case further and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
The latest discovery has again raised concerns about counterfeit food and beverage products in Nigeria, with authorities urging consumers to buy only properly certified products from trusted retailers.
