The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered more than 25 suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverage production outlets during an enforcement operation at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos State.
The operation was carried out on Tuesday at Zamfara and Niger Plazas, located along the Badagry Expressway, following intelligence reports on the alleged production and sale of fake and adulterated alcoholic drinks.
NAFDAC officials discovered that several shops within the two-storey buildings were allegedly being used to manufacture counterfeit beverages, adulterate products and revalidate expired drinks for sale.
Speaking during the operation, the agency’s Director of Enforcement, Kunle Ojo, said the team relied on intelligence reports to locate the facilities.
Ojo explained that the enforcement team attempted to enter the premises through the rear to catch the operators unaware, but several suspects reportedly escaped through the main entrance. Two people were arrested during the operation.
He added that some of the shops were allegedly used both as production facilities and warehouses for the suspected counterfeit products.
The Deputy Director of Public Affairs at NAFDAC, Christiana Obiazikwor, said the agency had previously raided and sealed an earlier location linked to the operators before they allegedly moved their activities to the Trade Fair Complex.
She warned that the agency would intensify efforts to dismantle the network and prevent dangerous products from reaching consumers.
Obiazikwor, who accompanied the enforcement team alongside other senior officials, said the operation reflected the commitment of NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, to combating counterfeit, adulterated and expired products in the country.
She added that the agency conducts enforcement operations regularly to identify illegal producers, seize unsafe goods and protect public health.
The NAFDAC spokesperson also called on Nigerians to support the campaign by providing credible information about suspected manufacturers and distributors of fake products.
She assured members of the public that the agency would protect the identities of whistle-blowers who report such activities, urging consumers to report suspicious production, repackaging or relabelling of expired goods to the nearest NAFDAC office.
Ojo also expressed concern that the circulation of counterfeit alcoholic beverages could pose serious health risks, particularly as the festive season approaches and demand for alcoholic drinks increases.
He appealed to residents and other members of the public to assist enforcement agencies by reporting suspected illegal production facilities.
NAFDAC urged consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing alcoholic beverages and other regulated products, stressing the importance of public cooperation in identifying and removing potentially harmful goods from the market.
