The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed a chemical and water packaging factory operating illegally in the Damangaza district of Apo Waru, within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The enforcement exercise took place on Thursday.
Mr. Embugushiki Godiya, Head of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Unit in Abuja, confirmed that the factories were shut down after the agency discovered their illegal operations.
According to Godiya, the enforcement team moved into the Apo Waru area following intelligence reports suggesting unregulated manufacturing activities. He explained that the water packaging facility was producing sachet water at night in a bid to evade detection by authorities.
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“When our inspectors arrived, they discovered 88 bags of packaged water and clear signs of unauthorized production. This factory is not certified by NAFDAC, and the registration number printed on the product is fake. We will conduct further investigations and apply the necessary sanctions,” Godiya stated.
In the course of the operation, NAFDAC also uncovered an illegal chemical laboratory linked to one Mr. Ikechukwu Elijah in the same district.
“From our findings, Elijah has been producing disinfectants, air fresheners, and even banned substances without approval. At first, he denied ownership of the items, but evidence retrieved from his residence, including his identification card, confirmed his involvement,” Godiya revealed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that enforcement officers seized cylinders, sealing machines, large containers of mixed chemicals, and finished products prepared for distribution.
During the raid, Elijah and one of his workers were arrested, while the illegal factory was sealed. Godiya added that the suspects would face prosecution, and the agency would also investigate their supply chains.
“We want to trace the source of these chemicals and identify those they were supplying. Our primary concern is to remove these harmful products from circulation,” he emphasized.
The NAFDAC official further noted that property owners who allow their premises to be used for unlicensed manufacturing could also face sanctions.
“If you own a house, you cannot claim ignorance of such activity. That amounts to aiding and abetting, and it is punishable by law,” Godiya warned.
He assured that NAFDAC would enforce all necessary sanctions to ensure public safety and maintain regulatory standards in the FCT.
