Trending 
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed a registered water factory in Lafia, Nasarawa State, after uncovering its illegal production of five unauthorised water brands.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Mr Anga Emmanuel, Deputy Director and Head of NAFDAC’s Lafia office, confirmed that the facility, originally authorised to produce Mainima Table Water, was discovered during a routine inspection to be manufacturing multiple unregistered products.
A man identified as Mr Christian Chukuma was arrested at the site during the inspection.
According to Emmanuel, the illegal water products being manufactured included Bilal Table Water, Nkonjun Table Water, Anumzi Table Water, and Agbeni Table Water. None of the brands were registered in Lafia, and one was traced to Kaduna State.
“All the other products he was found to be producing are not from Lafia; one is even in Kaduna State,” Emmanuel stated.
He added that the factory’s operational licence had expired and that it failed to meet the basic manufacturing and hygiene standards required for compliance. Further investigations revealed that Bilal and Agbeni were registered in Doma Local Government Area (LGA), Nkonjun in Akwanga LGA, and Anumzi in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.
Describing the act as fraudulent and dangerous to public health, Emmanuel warned others engaging in similar activities to desist or face prosecution. He assured that NAFDAC would continue to increase surveillance to protect consumers and ensure only safe, authorised products reach the market.
“The factory has been shut down, and the culprit will face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.
Emmanuel also urged the public to report any suspicious or unregistered food and drink products in their communities to enable swift enforcement action.
Meanwhile, Chukuma admitted to producing the illegal water brands, citing economic hardship as his reason. He pleaded for leniency and claimed the actual owner of the factory was unaware of the illicit operations, as he had only rented the facility.
