The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks factory in Aba, Abia State, where fake whisky products were allegedly being produced under unsafe and unhygienic conditions.
The agency disclosed this in a post shared on its official X account on Tuesday, saying the operation followed credible intelligence received by its enforcement team.
According to NAFDAC, the suspected illegal factory was located at No. 25 Omenazu Street in Aba.
The agency said the suspected operator escaped before officials arrived at the facility, leaving behind a vehicle loaded with suspected counterfeit packaging materials.
“Acting on credible intelligence, officials discovered the facility operating in unhygienic conditions. The suspected operator reportedly fled upon the team’s arrival, abandoning a vehicle in which counterfeit packaging materials bearing the names of Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky, empty bottles and a drum containing approximately 200 litres of liquid were found,” NAFDAC said.
The agency said a search of the premises uncovered several items believed to have been used in the production of fake alcoholic drinks.
“Inside the facility, officials found counterfeit packaging materials, bottle caps, sealing machines, empty bottles, cartons, tanks containing various liquid concoctions and dirty sieves reportedly used in the production process.”
NAFDAC also said investigators recovered plastic buckets, 200-litre drums containing ethanol and tree bark soaked in ethanol, a discovery it described as a serious public health concern.
“Plastic buckets and 200-litre drums containing ethanol and tree bark immersed in ethanol were also discovered, raising serious concerns about the safety and quality of the products being produced.”
The agency estimated the value of the equipment, materials and other components found at the facility at more than ₦500 million.
NAFDAC urged Nigerians to support its fight against counterfeit products by reporting suspected illegal manufacturing activities.
“The Agency urges members of the public to provide credible information on suspected illegal manufacturing activities to the NAFDAC Call Centre on 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322, or email reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.”
The agency has continued to intensify enforcement operations across the country as part of efforts to curb the production and distribution of counterfeit food, medicines and beverages. It says the crackdown is aimed at protecting public health and ensuring that only safe, genuine and quality-regulated products reach Nigerian consumers.
