crime

NAFDAC shuts down illegal water factory in Nasarawa, arrests suspect

Published

1 year ago

May 9, 2025

NAFDAC has shut down a registered water factory in Lafia, Nasarawa State, for illegally producing five unregistered water brands and arrested one suspect

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 discovered illegally producing five different unregistered water products.

Also read: NAFDAC alerts public to counterfeit Aflotin malaria tablet

Deputy Director and Head of the NAFDAC Lafia office, Anga Emmanuel, disclosed this information to journalists on Friday during a press briefing.

According to Mr. Emmanuel, the factory, which was originally licensed to produce Mainima Table Water, was found to be manufacturing other unregistered products during a routine inspection.

The Deputy Director further stated that one Mr. Christian Chukuma was arrested during the inspection.

He detailed 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 stated.

Mr. Emmanuel also noted that the factory’s license had expired and that it failed to meet basic manufacturing compliance standards. He clarified that Bilal and Agbeni were registered in Doma Local Government Area, Nkonjun in Akwanga LGA, and Anumzi in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.

He condemned the act as fraudulent and dangerous, issuing a strong warning to others involved in similar illegal practices to cease their operations immediately or face severe legal consequences.

Mr. Emmanuel emphasized NAFDAC’s commitment to intensifying its surveillance activities to ensure that only safe and regulated products reach 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 affirmed.

The deputy director also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or unregistered products in their localities for prompt action by the agency.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chukuma confessed to producing the unregistered water brands. Speaking to journalists, he attributed his actions to economic hardship and pleaded for leniency.

He claimed that the actual owner of the facility was unaware of the illegal operations, as he had only rented the space.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

9 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

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The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.