The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) conducted a significant enforcement operation on Tuesday, targeting illegal sachet water production in Dutse Alhaji and Dawaki, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This initiative led to the discovery and closure of multiple facilities operating under unsafe conditions, utilizing substandard equipment, and failing to adhere to regulatory standards for safe water production. The operation revealed several instances where multiple individuals falsely claimed ownership of the same sachet water brand.
Mr. Kenneth Azikiwe, the Director of NAFDAC’s FCT Directorate, informed reporters that over 40 illegal water factories have been shut down in the FCT as part of this ongoing enforcement effort. He noted that these actions are part of a broader campaign aimed at ensuring compliance with strict quality and safety standards among all food and beverage manufacturers.
The operation was initiated following a directive from NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who emphasized the importance of adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). “This directive comes amid growing concerns about the use of substandard materials, unauthorized product labeling, and unsafe production conditions,” Azikiwe stated.
Additionally, he disclosed that more than 14 bakeries in key areas of the FCT—including Mararaba, Nyanya, Zuba, and Gwagwalada—were also shut down due to safety regulation violations. The enforcement efforts were carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian police and other security forces to ensure strict compliance with health and safety standards.
“This operation required strong collaboration and commitment to addressing individuals involved in the illegal manufacturing and distribution of substandard products,” he asserted. Azikiwe highlighted that the crackdown serves as a strong warning to manufacturers who disregard regulatory requirements and reinforces NAFDAC’s commitment to consumer safety.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and purchase consumable products only from reputable and properly registered sources to mitigate health risks. Furthermore, NAFDAC plans to extend its investigation to printing presses providing unauthorized NAFDAC numbers to illegal sachet water producers as part of efforts to dismantle the supply chain for unsafe products.
Dr. Promise Ogbonna, Assistant Director at NAFDAC and a lead officer in the enforcement, condemned the severe hygiene and safety violations identified during the operation. She warned of the public health risks associated with unsanitary sachet water production, noting that all inspected facilities lacked critical water treatment components.
Ogbonna reported that illegal manufacturers were operating without the necessary safety protocols, using poorly designed facilities and inadequate packaging controls. “There were no treatment plants, sand filters, or functional UV sterilization lights at any of the sites,” she explained, detailing the alarming conditions observed.
She further noted that these facilities were illegally sourcing untreated water and supplying it to the public without proper registration or compliance with NAFDAC safety standards. The investigation also revealed unacceptable hygiene practices, including improperly positioned toilets and scattered packaging materials in production areas.
Ogbonna showcased examples of sachets from brands such as Alpha and Omega, Kegonis, Al-Nurain, Asig, and Concept—all produced by the same illegal operator. A worker from one of the facilities admitted that the “Concept” sachets were printed by a supplier he recognized, highlighting the extent of the fraudulent operations.