Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, have uncovered an illegal juice production facility in Aradagun, Badagry, Lagos State, where Barkas Juice was allegedly manufactured and distributed without authorisation.
The operation, carried out on Monday, September 21, 2026, followed actionable intelligence concerning illicit manufacturing activities along the Badagry border corridor.
Two female suspects allegedly linked to the facility were arrested during the operation, while packaged products prepared for distribution were seized. Some of the consignments had already been loaded into container vehicles for transportation to markets in Lagos and neighbouring states.
The NSCDC also recovered industrial sugar, untreated water, synthetic adhesives, dyes, chemical colourants and production equipment from the facility.
The operatives further rescued juveniles aged between 15 and 16 who were allegedly engaged in unauthorised labour at the facility.
The operation was led by the Divisional Officer of the Badagry Division, Chief Superintendent of Corps (CSC) Ekunola Gbenga Abraham.
According to the command, Ekunola, who assumed leadership of the Badagry Division in February 2025, has overseen several operations targeting criminal activities, smuggling, human trafficking, transnational crime and other forms of economic sabotage in the area.
In a statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer (CDPRO), SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, on behalf of the Lagos State Commandant, the NSCDC said Ekunola’s previous operations included the seizure of more than 6,000 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit and the dismantling of illegal bunkering activities along the Badagry waterways.
The command added that between May and June 2026, the division rescued more than 24 victims of human trafficking, including pregnant women and toddlers, during raids on illegal camps in Itoga and Ilado-Ogudu.
It also said the division arrested more than 30 foreign nationals allegedly linked to cross-border criminal activities in June 2026, including two wanted former military personnel from neighbouring West African countries.
In July, the command said the division dismantled an unaccredited tertiary institution allegedly operating secretly in Badagry and rescued 106 youths reportedly lured from various parts of Nigeria and West Africa.
Reacting to the latest operation, the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Adedotun Keshinro, said the command would continue working to protect residents from activities that pose risks to public health, safety and economic integrity.
Keshinro commended CSC Ekunola and officers of the Badagry Division for their commitment to duty, stressing that the Corps would maintain zero tolerance for economic sabotage, human exploitation and illicit manufacturing.
The NSCDC said it had contacted relevant regulatory agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), for laboratory testing, facility assessment and further regulatory action.
The command added that the suspects were undergoing interrogation and would be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction after the conclusion of investigations.
It also urged residents to continue providing timely information to security agencies to support efforts to protect communities.