The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC has sealed a registered water factory in Lafia, Nasarawa State, for illegally producing multiple unregistered water brands.
Anga Emmanuel, Deputy Director and Head of NAFDAC's Lafia office, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday. He said the facility, which was originally licensed to produce Mainima Table Water, was found during a routine inspection to be manufacturing five other products without regulatory approval.
"One Christian Chukuma was arrested at the scene," Emmanuel said.
According to him, the unregistered brands include Bilal Table Water, Nkonjun Table Water, Anumzi Table Water, and Agbeni Table Water-none of which are registered or originate from Lafia. He noted that some of these brands were registered in other local government areas, such as Doma and Akwanga in Nasarawa, and even Sanga in Kaduna State.
Emmanuel also revealed that the factory's operating licence had expired and that the facility had failed to comply with basic manufacturing standards.
Describing the act as fraudulent and dangerous to public health, he issued a stern warning to other producers engaged in similar practices. "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.
NAFDAC, he added, will continue to strengthen its surveillance to protect consumers from unsafe and unregulated products.
Chukuma, who admitted to producing the unregistered brands, claimed economic hardship drove him to the illegal operation. He pleaded for leniency, stating that the actual owner of the facility was unaware of his activities, as he had only rented the premises.
Emmanuel urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious or unregistered products to authorities for prompt action.