The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, has uncovered a suspected illegal fruit juice factory in Aradagun, Badagry, where two women were arrested over alleged production of adulterated Barkas Juice.
The suspects, aged 48 and 50, were apprehended during an operation carried out between Saturday, September 19 and the early hours of Sunday, September 20, 2026, following five days of surveillance by the Corps.
The facility, located on Talabi Onilegbale Street, Aradagun, in the Olorunda Local Council Development Area, was reportedly identified after the NSCDC received intelligence about suspected illegal production activities taking place there.
According to the Corps, the suspected juice was allegedly produced by combining water with synthetic flavourings, industrial sweeteners, artificial colourants, dyes and chemical preservatives instead of real fruit.
The NSCDC also alleged that the factory was not properly registered and that the product bore a purportedly fake NAFDAC registration number.
The Corps said it contacted the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to verify the registration details and was informed that the product was not registered.
Items reportedly recovered during the operation included cartons of the drinks, product labels, production equipment and a truck loaded with the products.
The Corps alleged that the drinks were being supplied to markets in Lagos, Edo State and other parts of the country.
The operation was said to have faced resistance from some youths in the community, leading the NSCDC to seek the support of a Nigerian Army formation to secure the area and enable the operation to continue.
The alleged owner of the business reportedly told investigators that she inherited the enterprise from her grandmother, who initially produced bottled and sachet water before the business was expanded to fruit juice production about two decades ago.
The NSCDC said the two suspects remained in custody and were undergoing investigation, adding that relevant agencies, including NAFDAC, had been contacted for laboratory analysis and further regulatory action.
The Corps urged members of the public to be vigilant when purchasing fruit drinks, particularly unregistered products, and encouraged them to report suspected illegal manufacturing activities to security agencies.
