By Seyi Balogun, Lagos

For operating an illegal juice factory in Aradagun, in the Badagry area of Lagos State, two female suspects have been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who stormed the facility on Saturday.

The factory, where a drink branded Barkas Juice was allegedly produced, was uncovered at Talabi Onilegbale Street, Aradagun, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, on September 19, 2026, at about 9:00 p.m.

The two women, aged 48 and 50, were arrested at the premises by operatives of the NSCDC Badagry Divisional Headquarters.

The corps alleged that the factory was unregistered and that the product, produced under Titi Alubarika Trading Stores Ltd, carried a purportedly fake National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration number, 01-2166L.

According to The Guardian, a truck at the premises loaded with the products was still at the factory, apparently awaiting distribution.

Cartons of the drink and rolls of product labels were also seen inside the bungalow being used for production, while part of the building served as a residence.

A dirty well, which the NSCDC said was being used to source water for production, was also seen within the premises, alongside an unclean industrial storage tank.

The operation, according to the NSCDC, followed five days of surveillance after intelligence was received about the activities at the location.

The corps also alleged that the products were being distributed to Edo State and other parts of the country.

Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, the NSCDC spokesperson, Oluwaseun Abolurin, said the operation was conducted after operatives encountered resistance from youths in the area.

He said the corps had to strengthen its inter-agency collaboration, including involving the Nigerian Army, to guard against possible attacks. He, however, said community support helped the operation to succeed. In his words:

“Adulterated fruit drinks are being produced in this factory and supplied to Edo State and other parts of the country. The products were found packed in cartons and also loaded in a truck.”

Abolurin described the alleged production process as a threat to public health, urging Nigerians to be wary of unregistered fruit drinks.

He added that the NSCDC contacted NAFDAC to verify the registration y informed that the product was not registered.

Abolurin further alleged that the drink contained high levels of sugar, additives and dyes, but did not provide laboratory findings to substantiate the claim.

Speaking to The Guardian, the primary suspect, Morenikeji Alawiye, said the factory had originally been established by her grandmother and had been operating for nearly two decades, although she acknowledged that it had previously been shut down.

According to her, the family initially produced bottled and sachet water before the factory ran into difficulties.

Alawiye said she had been trying to regularise the business before her arrest and claimed that she had contacted an uncle working with NAFDAC to assist with the process.

She also said an aunt had introduced a prospective customer in The Gambia who wanted the product manufactured for export.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Dan Amanan Fune Emirate of Yobe State. Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, Ph.D., has expressed concern over the death of 37 suspected illegal miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, describing the incident as a grave tragedy that demands a transparent and credible investigation.

In a statement issued by his Director of Communications, Mallam AbdulRahaman Aliagan, on Monday, Dr. Ajia commiserates with the Federal Government, the Government and people of Niger State and, in particular, the families of the deceased. He stated that the circumstances surrounding the deaths demand urgent and honest answers from the relevant authorities.

The victims were reportedly among scores of suspects arrested during anti-illegal mining operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state on September 15 and 16.

Dr. Ajia noted that the death of individuals while in state custody raises serious questions regarding compliance with established detention procedures. He stressed that persons arrested for alleged offences are entitled to lawful investigation and due process, and must not be exposed to conditions capable of endangering their lives or wellbeing.

He further observed that the incident underscores the need for security agencies to uphold rigorous standards in the management of detention facilities, including adequate supervision, appropriate holding conditions, access to basic necessities, and effective safeguards for the welfare of all persons in custody.

The APC chieftain also called for stronger coordination among security and law enforcement agencies, insisting that suspected illegal miners be properly profiled, investigated, and prosecuted strictly through established legal channels. He emphasized that the enforcement of laws against illegal mining must be pursued in a manner that upholds human rights and the dignity of persons in custody, without exception.

Dr. Ajia commended the Federal and Niger State Governments for their prompt intervention, as well as the police and administrative investigations already underway. He noted that the Federal Government has constituted a ten-member independent committee to investigate the arrests, detention, and circumstances surrounding the deaths, and that officers connected with the incident have been suspended pending the outcome of that investigation.

He appealed to residents, particularly the youths of Niger State, to remain calm and allow the investigative process to proceed unhindered, cautioning that public anger over this tragedy must not translate into further loss of life or destruction of property. He urged the relevant authorities to maintain open and regular communication with the affected families and the general public as the investigation progresses.

Dr. Ajia called for an independent, thorough, and transparent determination of the circumstances that led to the deaths, insisting that any individual found culpable be held accountable under the law, irrespective of rank or position.

He affirmed that accountability, respect for human rights, and professionalism in security operations remain essential pillars for strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions. He concluded by praying that Almighty Allah grants the departed eternal rest and grants their families the fortitude to bear this profound loss.

By Nick Ibe

A letter purportedly written by him to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, against the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo has been disowned by Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC. He emphasises that he wrote no such letter.

The purported letter appealed to Achebe over political and financial issues he, Obi, is having with Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state.

But, Obi, in a statement posted on his X account on weekend, dismissed the letter as “entirely false” and malicious. He also disclosed that the signature attached to the purported letter was forged.

Obi appealed to members of the public and the media to treat the letter with the contempt it deserves, adding that it was designed to mislead the public. The resd:

“My attention has been drawn to a fake letter circulating on social media, purportedly written by me to His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, concerning political and financial matters in Anambra State.

“This document is entirely false, malicious, and a fabrication by mischievous elements aimed at misleading the public.

Furthermore, the signature appended to the letter is completely forged,” Obi said.

He added that his attention remained focused on national development and accountability rather than what he described as fabricated publications.

“My focus remains steadfastly on issues of national development, accountability, and building a better future for our people – never on cheap fabrications.”

The rebuttal follows the disagreement between Obi and the Anambra State Government administration over the financial position of the State at the end of Obi’s tenure in 2014.

The fake letter, dated September 19, 2026, and addressed to the Obi of Onitsha was titled, “The Future of Ndigbo is Bleak.”

Furthermore, the purported letter called for transparency over the financial records and liabilities of Anambra State, and urged traditional rulers, political leaders and elders to prevent political disagreements from coming between the people.

The letter also called for the state’s financial records to be examined and for questions surrounding the administrations of Obi and Soludo to be resolved through evidence and transparency.

The letter surfaced days after the Anambra State Government released details of loan facilities it attributed to Obi’s administration and insisted that the state was still carrying repayment obligations from that period.