The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down a registered water factory in Lafia, Nasarawa State, after it was found to be illegally producing five unregistered water products.
Mr Anga Emmanuel, Deputy Director and Head of the NAFDAC Lafia office, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday.
He explained that the factory, originally licensed to produce Mainima Table Water, was discovered during a routine inspection to be manufacturing other unregistered products.
A man, identified as Mr Christian Chukuma, was arrested during the operation.
Emmanuel stated that the illegally produced brands included Bilal Table Water, Nkonjun Table Water, Anumzi Table Water, and Agbeni Table Water, none of which originated from Lafia.
“All the other products he was found to be producing are not from Lafia; one is even in Kaduna State,” he added.
He also revealed that the factory’s license had expired and that it failed to comply with basic manufacturing standards.
He explained that Bilal and Agbeni were registered in Doma Local Government Area (LGA), Nkonjun in Akwanga LGA, and Anumzi in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.
Emmanuel condemned the act as fraudulent and dangerous, warning others involved in similar activities to cease immediately or face legal consequences.
He emphasised that NAFDAC would intensify its surveillance to ensure that only safe, regulated products were available to consumers.
“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.
He also urged the public to report any suspicious or unregistered products in their areas for prompt action.
Meanwhile, Chukuma admitted to producing the unregistered water brands and blamed economic hardship for his actions. He pleaded for leniency and claimed that the actual owner of the facility was unaware of the illegal operations, as he had only rented the space.
(NAN)