The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected counterfeit drinks production facility at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos State, arresting two suspects over alleged involvement in the illegal operation.

The facility, located at Zamfara Plaza, BBA Trade Fair Complex, along the Badagry Expressway, was raided following intelligence and surveillance on suspected counterfeiters operating within the Trade Fair International Market.

The suspects, identified as Chibuzor Okafor and William John, were arrested during the operation in a two-storey building where officials discovered equipment and materials allegedly used to repackage alcoholic beverages and energy drinks.

Items recovered included drums, filters, packaging materials, a heating device and other equipment suspected to have been used in the illegal production process.

Speaking during the operation, the Assistant Director of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Kunle Ojo, said officials caught some of the suspects in the act.

“Gentlemen of the press, as you can see today, when we came, we caught some red-handed people producing all kinds of alcoholic drinks,” he said.

Ojo described the discovery as alarming, warning that counterfeit beverages posed serious risks to public health.

He said the agency would investigate the sources of the products and raw materials, as well as identify those allegedly financing or directing the operation.

One of the arrested suspects, Okafor, who described himself as a drinks dealer, said he changed the bottles of drinks when the original packaging was damaged.

“I deal in drinks. I change the bottle of the drink. It’s not that the bottle is not good. It’s the drink in there, because the other one is already damaged. So that’s why we are putting it in the next bottle,” he said.

NAFDAC officials said the recovered products and materials would be evacuated to the agency’s warehouse for further action, including destruction in accordance with applicable procedures.

The agency also warned that consumers could face serious health risks when drinks were repackaged and sold under established brand names without proper quality controls or verification of their contents.

The raid, according to the agency, formed part of intensified enforcement efforts ahead of the festive season, when demand for alcoholic and other beverages typically increases.

NAFDAC’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Christiana Obiazikwor, urged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeit production and distribution activities directly to the agency rather than circulate unverified allegations on social media.

She assured members of the public that the agency remained active in markets and other locations, conducting surveillance, seizures and arrests to combat the circulation of unregistered and counterfeit products.

The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting consumers and warned suspected operators to desist from activities capable of endangering public health.