NAFDAC busts illegal alcohol factory, arrests manufacturer

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismantled an illegal alcohol factory in Badagry in an effort to rid the country of fake and substandard products. In a statement on Sunday in Lagos by Sayo Akintola, NAFDAC resident media consultant, the agency said its enforcement team was aided by the Nigerian Army 15 Field Engineering Regiment in Badagry. Mr Akintola alleged that the factory belonged to Chinedu Okafor, a suspected illegal drinks manufacturer operating from his residence at No. O24, MTN Road, Badagry.

“Okafor’s suspicious activities caught the attention of the Nigerian Army, leading to his arrest and subsequent handover to NAFDAC officers at the Ports Inspection Directorate, Seme Border. Upon inspection, officers evacuated all equipment and materials used in the production of illicit drinks and effectively shut down the illegal factory. Investigations revealed that Okafor’s longstanding involvement in criminal activities has compromised regulated alcohol drinks in the area,” he said,

He also said the suspect would be prosecuted. Mr Akintola said that NAFDAC emphasised the need for public vigilance and urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities to safeguard public health. He said the agency warned Nigerians about the consumption of adulterated alcohol, adding that it could lead to kidney and liver failure or even death. Mr Akintola called on Nigerians to always consider the “4 Ps” (pace, price, packaging, product) before buying alcoholic products.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO), in their Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health, estimated that more than three million people died all over the world as a result of alcohol poisoning. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) says that one of every 10 cancer cases in Nigeria can be traced to alcohol, and 4.7 per cent of overall cancer cases in Nigeria in 2019 can be attributed to consumption of adulterated alcohol. Nigerians must remain vigilant and scrutinise branded drinks to distinguish them from counterfeits before consuming them,” he said. The media consultant assured that NAFDAC would continue to ensure that the level of counterfeit products nationwide was brought to the barest minimum so that people would consume only healthy and safe products. He urged the public to report any suspicious activity of illegal producers of adulterated products or similar activities to the nearest NAFDAC office nationwide. 

(NAN)