NAFDAC raids, dismantles illegal alcohol factory in Badagry
An illicit alcohol factory in Badagry has reportedly been demolished, according to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
NAFDAC announced this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos through Mr. Sayo Akintola, its resident media consultant.
The agency reported that the operation was executed by its enforcement team with assistance from the Nigerian Army's 15 Field Engineering Regiment in Badagry.
According to his allegations, the factory belonged to Mr. Chinedu Okafor, a person accused of manufacturing illicit drinks out of his home at No. O24, MTN Road, Badagry.
According to Akintola, Okafor was arrested and turned over to NAFDAC officials at the Ports Inspection Directorate, Seme Border, after the Nigerian Army became aware of his suspicious activities.
Officers shut down the unlawful factory by evacuating all supplies and equipment used in the making of illicit drinks after conducting an inspection.
"Investigations showed that Okafor's extended involvement in illegal activity has jeopardised the area's legalised alcohol sales."
He promised that the suspect will face legal consequences and underlined the importance of maintaining public awareness and encouraging Nigerians to report any suspicious activity in order to protect the public's health.
According to Akintola, NAFDAC places a high priority on the health of Nigerians, which is why it strictly prohibits the consumption of tainted alcohol because it can cause liver and renal failure as well as even death.
He urged Nigerians to carefully think about the "4 Ps"—Place, Price, Packaging, and Product—before purchasing any alcoholic beverage.
"According to the World Health Organization's Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health, alcohol poisoning is thought to have killed over three million people worldwide.
According to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), alcohol use is linked to one in ten cancer cases in Nigeria, accounting for 4.7% of all cancer cases in the country in 2019.
"Before consuming branded drinks, Nigerians should exercise caution and carefully inspect them to differentiate them from fakes," he stated.
In order to ensure that people only eat safe and nutritious products, Akintola gave assurance that NAFDAC would keep up its efforts to reduce the amount of counterfeit goods in the country.
He called on the people of Nigeria to report any suspicious behaviour involving illicit makers of tainted goods or similar activities to the NAFDAC office that is closest to them.
