The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) sealed a chemical and water packaging factory in the Damangaza district, Apo Waru, in the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday.

Mr. Embugushiki Godiya, Head of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement unit in Abuja, said the factories were sealed following their illegal operation within their premises.

Godiya explained that the agency embarked on an enforcement operation within the Apo Waru area following intelligence gathered concerning the area.

He said that the water factory was discovered to be producing saturated water at night to evade detection.

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He noted that when NAFDAC inspectors arrived, they found 88 bags of packaged water and traces of unauthorised production.

“This is an illegal factory, not certified by NAFDAC. Even the registration number on the product is fake. We are going to investigate further and apply the necessary sanctions,” Godiya explained.

The NAFDAC official stated that, similarly, in the same area, an illicit chemical laboratory operated by Ikechukwu Elijah was uncovered.

“According to reports, Elijah produces products ranging from disinfectants to air fresheners and even banned substances without regulatory approval.

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“Initially, he denied ownership of the materials, but evidence found in his home, including his ID card, confirmed his involvement,” Godiya said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the operations, NAFDAC seized cylinders, sealing machines, and large containers of mixed chemicals as well as finished products ready for distribution.

NAN also reports that Elijah and one of his workers were arrested while the facility was sealed.

Godiya said that NAFDAC would not only prosecute the suspects but also investigate their supply chains.

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“We want to know where he was getting these chemicals from, and who he was supplying to. Our major interest is to mop these products out of the market,” he said.

The agency also signalled it would examine the role of landlords who rent out properties for illegal manufacturing.

“If you own a house, you cannot claim ignorance of such activity. That is aiding and abetting, and it is punishable by law,” the NAFDAC official stressed.

He added that the agency would ensure that necessary sanctions were enforced.

The Edo State Special Security Squad in collaboration with other security agencies arrested nine suspected cultists and recovered firearms in Iguoshodin N’ Ikpemaba, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The coordinator of the squad, Idemudia Noah, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State governor, Fred Itua.

Noah in the statement said the suspected cultists were arrested after credible intelligence was received from residents.

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He said operatives stormed the community in the early hours of September 3, 2025, following a distress call that members of a cult group were terrorising residents.

He added: “On arrival, our men moved swiftly and arrested nine suspects. A thorough search of the area led to the recovery of two Baretta pistols, two cut-to-size double-barrel guns, and live AK-47 ammunition.”

According to him, arms and ammunition were recovered from the premises of a building allegedly belonging to the Okaighele of Omi, Osazuwa Igbineweka, who has since been declared wanted by the police for allegedly constituting a threat to peace in the community.

He said: “Prior to this operation, we had received multiple reports that cult members were causing serious unrest in Omi. Our raid not only led to their arrest but also exposed the dangerous weapons they used to perpetrate crime.”

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The coordinator said that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects being members of the Eiye confraternity, a cult group notorious for violent clashes and criminal activities across several Edo communities.

“From intelligence gathered and from the relief expressed by residents, it is clear that some of those arrested belong to the Eiye cult group. Their arrest has restored confidence among the people, who are pleased to see decisive action being taken.

“Among the weapons recovered were Baretta pistols, cut-to-size double-barrel shotguns, and AK-47 ammunition, all of which point to the extent of the threat posed by these individuals,” he noted.

At least three persons were brutally murdered during a masquerader festival that began on Sunday in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State.

While the exact cause of the killings remains unclear, reports indicated that some members of the family involved in the festival, who are also believed to belong to various cult groups in Lagos, hijacked the event and turned it into a supremacy battle.

A resident of the community who craved anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident told The PUNCH on Wednesday that the situation descended into chaos shortly after the festival ended.

“We had just finished the festival when a fight broke out among some boys suspected to be cultists. And before we knew it, they had started throwing bottles at one another while also wielding some dangerous weapons. Nobody could even wait to calm the situation other than to run for cover,” the resident narrated.

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Videos of the violence, obtained by The PUNCH on Wednesday, showed heavy gunfire as suspected cultists chased one another along Lagos Street.

In one of the clips, at least five gunshots were heard, while no fewer than 10 assailants were seen gang-beating a victim.

Another resident who identified himself simply as Kazeem said the clash lasted for hours, causing panic among residents.

“The fight started in the evening and continued till midnight. Some of us could not sleep due to the intensity of the violence and loud noise from their voices and the destruction,” he said.

Naija Confra, an account known for showcasing cult-related violence in Nigeria, further highlighted the chaos.

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It stated, “We received reports of a clash in Lagos Island that has been going on since Sunday, following a masquerade festival. The fight involved street gangs whose members are mostly cultists.”

In response to the clashes, the Lagos State Police Command, in a statement on Tuesday, announced tightened security across Lekki, Ajah, and surrounding areas, including Ogombo and Elemoro.

The measures, according to the command, were aimed at safeguarding lives and property while securing private and public investments.

The statement, signed by the command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, read, “As part of these measures, the Command has redeployed some Divisional Police Officers in the affected area, to bring new impetus towards curtailing crime and criminalities in the area and also improve on the operational efficiency and a proactive response to distress situations.

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“To further reinforce the security, the Eko Strike Force, a specialized intervention unit, has been deployed to Lekki and Ajah to address all forms of crime and criminality in the Lekki area and its environs.

“The Lagos State Police Command calls on residents to cooperate fully with the intervention team to ensure the success of the operations and maintain safety and security for all.”

Hundeyin further disclosed that the command had launched a discreet investigation into the killings.

“The command wishes to inform the public that it has commenced a discreet investigation into the unfortunate incident that occurred on Sunday in Lekki Phase 1, where an inter-cult clash resulted in the death of three cultists.

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“The clash occurred at a security duty post in an uninhabited open land space around Wole Olateju Street, involving members of rival cult groups at about 0500hrs. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally mobilised to the scene with joint police teams to attend to the situation and ensure swift action.

“The recently established Anti-Cultism Team and other Tactical teams under the Elemoro Area Command were immediately deployed to Lekki Phase 1, and several arrests of suspects linked to the crime were made in connection with the incident.”

According to Hundeyin, raids were carried out on several criminal hideouts in Lekki, leading to the arrest of 23 suspects.

Those arrested include: Frank Okpara (27), Friday Ebuka (27), Babatunde Mufutau (24), Suleiman Muri (25), Olamide Malik (24), Nwaka Lucky (34), Raphael Ashim (30), Wasiu Kareem (33), Sadiq Olabisi (40), Ibrahim Abdul (22), Ibrahim Aminu (37), Nasiru Musa (27), Friday Nwafor (51), Ahmed Fatai (26), Aro Abiola a.k.a. Zino (25), Tijani Shehu a.k.a. Abana (26), Gift Igedi (31), Ugochukwu Chike (30), Ridwan Alex (37), Happiness Otigbo (27), Abiodun Adegun (37), Adedayo Adeoti (27), and Afeez Ahmed (31).