The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks factory in Aba, Abia State, where officials found whisky-branded packaging materials, empty bottles, ethanol and tanks containing unidentified liquid mixtures.
The agency said the facility, located at No. 25 Omenazu Street, was operating under unhygienic conditions when its enforcement team arrived following credible intelligence.
According to NAFDAC, the suspected operator fled upon the team’s arrival, leaving behind materials and equipment believed to be connected with the alleged production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages.
The agency estimated the value of the equipment, materials and facility components at more than ₦500 million.
Among the items discovered were packaging materials bearing the names of Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky, bottle caps, sealing machines, cartons and empty bottles. Officials also found a drum containing approximately 200 litres of liquid.
NAFDAC said investigators discovered tanks containing various liquid mixtures, dirty sieves reportedly used in the production process, plastic buckets and 200-litre drums containing ethanol, including some with tree bark immersed in the substance.
The agency has not publicly established the chemical composition or safety of the liquids recovered from the premises. The findings therefore raise concerns about the possible production of unsafe alcoholic drinks, pending further investigation and any relevant laboratory analysis.
The Aba operation comes amid a series of recent enforcement actions by NAFDAC targeting suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages and illegal drink-repackaging operations.
On October 13, the agency uncovered more than 20 suspected illegal stores at Zamfara Plaza, within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex. NAFDAC said the facilities were allegedly used to counterfeit alcoholic beverage brands, revalidate expired drinks and stockpile prohibited imported products. Two suspects were arrested, while the seized products were valued at more than ₦2 billion.
In a separate operation in Aba, NAFDAC officials raided five shops at Old Court Road Market and seized suspected counterfeit alcoholic-drink packaging materials valued at more than ₦200 million, according to reports published on October 15. The recovered items included labels, corks and outer packaging bearing the names of established brands.
NAFDAC has urged members of the public to provide credible information about suspected illegal manufacturing activities to help enforcement officials identify and disrupt operations that could threaten consumer safety.
The agency has repeatedly warned Nigerians to exercise caution when purchasing alcoholic beverages, particularly products sold through unverified outlets or at prices significantly below their usual market value.
