The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ramped up its efforts in the fight against counterfeit alcohol, successfully dismantling an illicit production operation in Lugbe, Abuja.
The operation led to the discovery of large quantities of fake alcoholic beverages, along with expired ingredients that had been altered to extend shelf life, further highlighting the growing issue of substandard goods in the market.
Under the leadership of Shaba Mohammed, Director of NAFDAC’s Federal Task Force, enforcement teams seized counterfeit alcohol and uncovered the equipment used to repackage these fake products into reused bottles. “This operation is part of our broader strategy to target known hotspots for the production and distribution of counterfeit goods,” said Mohammed. “Lugbe has emerged as a major center for the manufacturing and sale of fake alcoholic beverages, with counterfeit bottles being labeled to imitate well-known brands and expiration dates deliberately altered to mislead consumers.”
The raid revealed that the counterfeit products were being packaged in residential areas, where criminals used imitation packaging materials to create fraudulent versions of popular alcoholic brands.
NAFDAC emphasized that these products were produced under unsanitary conditions, including the use of expired and potentially harmful ingredients, posing serious health risks to consumers.
In a statement, NAFDAC reiterated that the operation is part of its ongoing commitment to safeguarding public health.
The agency also noted that counterfeit drugs and beverages that had been contaminated by floodwaters and improperly dried for resale posed additional dangers to consumers’ well-being. NAFDAC’s enforcement drive continues as part of its broader effort to protect Nigerians from dangerous and substandard products.
