Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have arrested two women after raiding an alleged illegal juice factory in the Aradagun area of Badagry, Lagos State.
The raid, which took place around 9pm on September 19, 2026, followed five days of surveillance after the corps received intelligence about activities at the factory located on Talabi Onilegbale Street, Aradagun, Olorunda Local Council Development Area.
The NSCDC said the factory was producing a drink branded Barkas Juice under Titi Alubarika Trading Stores Ltd.
According to the corps, the product was not registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and allegedly carried a fake NAFDAC registration number, 01-2166L.
NSCDC spokesperson, Oluwaseun Abolurin, said the corps contacted NAFDAC to verify the registration number and was informed that the product was not registered.
During the operation, the operatives reportedly found a truck loaded with the drinks, cartons of the products and rolls of labels at the premises.
The corps also alleged that water used in producing the drink was sourced from a dirty well within the premises, while an unclean industrial storage tank was found at the factory.
Abolurin said the products were allegedly being distributed to Edo State and other parts of the country, describing the production process as a potential public health concern.
He further alleged that the drink contained high levels of sugar, additives and dyes. However, no laboratory findings were provided to independently substantiate the claim.
The operation reportedly met resistance from some youths in the area, prompting the NSCDC to seek the assistance of the Nigerian Army under its inter-agency collaboration arrangement.
However, one of the suspects, 48-year-old Morenikeji Alawiye, denied that the factory was recently established as an illegal operation.
Alawiye said the business was founded by her grandmother nearly two decades ago and had previously produced bottled and sachet water.
She said she had been working to regularise the business before her arrest and had contacted an uncle working with NAFDAC for assistance.
According to her, a prospective customer in The Gambia had also shown interest in having the product manufactured for export.
The NSCDC said investigations were ongoing.
