By Ade Oyeyemi
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has arrested two suspects after uncovering a facility allegedly used to produce and repackage counterfeit alcoholic and energy drinks at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State.
The operation took place at Zamfara Plaza, BBA Trade Fair Complex, along the Badagry Expressway in the Ojo area of Lagos, where enforcement officials reportedly recovered equipment and materials suspected to have been used in the illegal activity.
The suspects were identified as Chibuzor Okafor and William John. They were arrested during a raid on a two-storey building following intelligence gathering and surveillance on suspected counterfeiters operating within the Trade Fair International Market.
Speaking during the operation, the Assistant Director of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Kunle Ojo, said officers caught some of the suspects allegedly carrying out the illegal production when they arrived at the facility.
He said items recovered included drums, filters, packaging materials, a heating device and other equipment believed to have been used in the production and repackaging process.
Ojo said the agency had intensified enforcement operations ahead of the festive season, when demand for alcoholic beverages and other drinks usually increases.
He warned that counterfeit beverages could endanger consumers’ health, accusing those involved of putting lives at risk for financial gain.
The NAFDAC official said investigations would focus on identifying the sources of the products and raw materials, as well as those allegedly financing or directing the operation.
He added that the seized items and products would be transferred to the agency’s warehouse for further action, including destruction in line with established procedures.
Ojo also warned that the arrested suspects could face legal consequences, while urging members of the public to provide credible information about suspected counterfeit production and distribution networks.
He assured informants that their identities would be protected, encouraging Nigerians to report suspicious activities to the agency.
One of the suspects, Okafor, who described himself as a drinks dealer, reportedly told journalists at the scene that he changed the bottles containing some drinks because the original contents had allegedly become damaged.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of NAFDAC’s Public Relations unit, Christiana Obiazikwor, said the agency continued to conduct surveillance, seize illegal products and arrest suspected offenders despite criticism over the prevalence of counterfeit goods.
She explained that many enforcement operations were not publicised to prevent suspects from being alerted or situations from escalating into confrontations.
According to her, journalists were invited to witness the latest operation to demonstrate the agency’s ongoing efforts to protect public health.
Obiazikwor urged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeit products directly to NAFDAC instead of spreading unverified allegations on social media, which she said could create unnecessary panic.
Similarly, the Assistant Director and Head of Public Relations in the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Victoria Jennifer Akudu, described the raid as part of the agency’s routine enforcement activities.
Akudu disclosed that the suspected operators had allegedly relocated from an earlier site after enforcement action, prompting officials to continue tracking their activities until the latest operation.
She said the facility had been sealed and the relevant materials confiscated, adding that enforcement teams remained active in efforts to uncover illegal manufacturing operations.
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The agency reiterated that beverages repackaged and sold under established brand names without proper quality controls could expose consumers to serious health risks.
NAFDAC said its continuing enforcement operations were aimed at removing counterfeit, adulterated and unregistered products from the Nigerian market.
