NSCDC Busts Alleged Illegal Juice Factory in Lagos

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, has busted an alleged illegal juice production facility in Aradagun, Badagry, and arrested two women in connection with the operation.

The operation was carried out on Monday, September 21, 2026, following intelligence received by the Corps about activities at the facility.

The Civil Defence Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, said officers who raided the premises discovered the production and distribution of Barkas Juice.

Abolurin said quantities of packaged juice were found at the facility, while some of the products were allegedly being loaded into container vehicles for distribution to markets across Lagos.

He added that officers also found materials including sugar, water, adhesives, dyes and other colourants allegedly used in the production process.

The NSCDC spokesperson further alleged that juveniles aged between 15 and 16 were involved in activities at the facility.

The identities of the two arrested women were withheld by the Corps as investigations continue.

However, one of the women gave a different account of the operation, insisting that the business was not recently established.

Speaking to media, she said her grandmother founded the facility and that it had operated for nearly 20 years before shutting down due to operational challenges.

According to her, the business was in the process of renewing its registration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

She also claimed that production was not carried out regularly, saying the facility produced juice only about three or four times a year, depending on customer orders.

The woman said she also owned a shop at Oke Arin Market in Lagos and identified her major customer as a trader based in Benin City.

The conflicting accounts could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

The NSCDC said investigations into the facility and the circumstances surrounding its operations were ongoing.

The Corps added that the arrested suspects would be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction at the conclusion of the investigation.