The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected counterfeit drinks production facility at the BBA Trade Fair Complex along the Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos State, arresting two men in connection with the alleged operation.
The suspects, identified as Chibuzor Okafor and William John, were arrested during an enforcement raid at Zamfara Plaza, where officials discovered equipment and materials allegedly used to produce and repackage counterfeit alcoholic and energy drinks.
NAFDAC said the operation followed intelligence gathering and surveillance on suspected counterfeiters operating within the Trade Fair International Market.
Speaking during the raid, the Assistant Director of the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Kunle Ojo, said some of the suspects were allegedly caught in the act. Items recovered included drums, filters, packaging materials, a heating device and other equipment suspected to have been used in the illegal production process.
Ojo described the discovery as alarming, warning that counterfeit drinks could pose serious risks to public health. He said the agency had intensified enforcement ahead of the festive season, when demand for alcoholic and other beverages typically increases.
He added that investigations would focus on identifying the sources of the products and raw materials, as well as those allegedly financing or directing the operation. The recovered materials and products would be taken to the agency’s warehouse for further action, including destruction in line with applicable procedures.
Ojo said the arrested suspects would face administrative action and possible prosecution, while urging Nigerians to provide credible information about suspected counterfeit production facilities. He assured informants that their identities would be protected.
One of the suspects, Okafor, who identified himself as a drinks dealer, told Vanguard that he changed the bottles in which drinks were packaged, claiming that the original bottles had been damaged. His account has not been independently verified.
The Deputy Director of NAFDAC’s Public Relations, Christiana Obiazikwor, said the agency regularly conducts surveillance, seizures, arrests and destruction of unregistered and counterfeit products, although not all enforcement activities are made public.
She explained that operations were sometimes conducted without publicity to avoid alerting suspected offenders or triggering confrontations. She urged members of the public to report suspected illegal production and distribution activities directly to NAFDAC rather than rely on unverified social media claims.
Similarly, the Assistant Director and Head of Public Relations for Investigation and Enforcement, Victoria Jennifer Akudu, described the raid as part of the agency’s routine enforcement activities.
Akudu disclosed that the suspected operators had allegedly moved from a previous location following enforcement action, prompting officials to continue tracking their activities until the latest raid.
She said NAFDAC remained committed to confiscating suspected counterfeit products and taking action against those responsible, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and report credible information to the agency.
NAFDAC warned that drinks repackaged under the labels of established brands without proper quality controls could expose consumers to serious health risks. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to removing counterfeit, adulterated and unregistered products from the Nigerian market.
