Metro

NAFDAC Shuts 10 Bakeries, Eight Water Factories In Rivers

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2024

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control said its officials shut 10 unregistered bakeries and eight table water factories in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The agency said the move was meant to rid the state of fake and unwholesome products, saying the shutdown was done during an operation which lasted three days with the assistance of policemen.

This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday by NAFDAC’s Public Relations Officer, South-South Zone, Mr Cyril Monye.

Monye disclosed that some of the factories operated in an unhygienic environment, in addition to carrying the names of popular brands in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The statement read, “In an unprecedented move to rid Rivers State of fake and unwholesome products, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control stormed Bonny Island in Bonny Island, Local Government Area of Rivers State shutting down 10 substandard/unregistered bakeries and eight table water factories.

“A detachment of policemen from Finima and Bonny Divisional Headquarters provided assistance and security to NAFDAC officials during the three-day operation.”

Speaking during the operation, NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbo, explained that the move became necessary following the agency’s painstaking investigations/surveillance and complaints by consumers from the Island concerning substandard bakeries and sachet/table water factories.

Oligbo stated, “It was discovered that some of the quack bakeries were producing in ramshackle facilities made with woods and rusty congregated iron sheets with inappropriate baking equipment while the workers were not properly kitted.

“The loaves of bread were stored in a very unhygienic manner with flies perching on them. Some of the bakeries also bear the names of popular breads in Port Harcourt.”

“Most of the bakeries were not registered by NAFDAC and unregistrable because they cannot meet the minimum requirement for registration, while few that were registered by the agency have expired licenses or have relocated from their initial place of registration in Port Harcourt to Bonny Island without notifying the agency for formal documentation and mandatory inspections.”

He further said some of the table water factories which were mostly involved in the production of sachet water were not using filtration equipment and a facility that was in production of bottled and jar water was manually filling the jars with a locally improvised machine instead of an automated process, which is the acceptable standard recommended by NAFDAC.

The Zonal Director urged those who are in default of their product license renewal to use the waiver provided by the Director General from January to March and renew their licenses, adding that NAFDAC is always ready to guide producers in doing the right thing.

He however said hard times await those who intentionally flouts NAFDAC regulations.

The three-day operation took NAFDAC to the length and breadth of Finima and Bonny, both in Bonny LGA, as Pharmacies and Supermarkets were also inspected where various violations were discovered ranging from unregistered products and unsafe storage of injections, the statement added.

Metro

18-year-old Hangs Self, Police Launch Investigation

Published

7 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of an 18-year-old identified as Tersoo Veregh, who allegedly took his own life in Makurdi, the state capital.

According to Zagazola Makama, the deceased’s father, Mr. Veregh Nathaniel, of Iorkyaako Street, High Level area of Makurdi, made the tragic discovery around 2:00 a.m. on October 4, when he stepped out of his room to ease himself and found his son hanging from the ceiling.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of ‘B’ Division, Makurdi, led a team of detectives to the scene. The body was photographed and later taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital mortuary.

Police authorities said an investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Metro

Police Intercept Illicit Drugs, Recover Pistols In Delta

Published

7 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command has intercepted a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected illicit drugs.

The truck, with registration number 3BGT 18LG, driven by one Dennis Uruma, a 52-year-old man from Igalamela Local Government Area of Kogi State, was intercepted by a patrol team of the Eagle Net Special Squad, Asaba, led by Commander SP Danyaya Yunusa.

The operation was conducted in synergy with the Office of the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Illicit Drugs and Human Trafficking.

The driver was arrested after the search, while the counting and measurement of the exhibits are ongoing.

In another development, on October 3, 2025, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, led by Commander CSP Nosa Alex, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a targeted raid on a suspected criminal hideout around the Basket Market area of Asaba.

During the operation, three suspects, Rabbi Godwin, 25, Lucky Nanakumo, 20, and David Igwe, 19, were arrested.

A search of the location yielded one fabricated Beretta pistol, which was recovered and secured as evidence.

Again, on October 1, 2025, the DPO ‘B’ Division, Asaba, CSP Edewor Akponegware, led his surveillance team in a swift response to a distress report about a robbery incident around the BONSAAC axis of Asaba, where a female victim was dispossessed of her phone and other valuables at gunpoint by two male suspects.

Working with local vigilantes, the team established a discreet cordon and began a methodical sweep of adjoining streets.

The coordinated push paid off when officers intercepted one suspect, Amara Nwako, 21, a male indigene of Oko, while his accomplice fled into an uncompleted building.

A locally made pistol was recovered during a search of the immediate vicinity. Preliminary findings revealed a possible cult affiliation linking the suspect to a certain Arobaga secret cult.

According to Bright Edafe, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, all the suspects remain in custody, while a manhunt is underway for the fleeing accomplice.

(DAILY POST)

Metro

NDLEA Intercepts 174 Parcels Of Cocaine Hidden In Body Cream Containers

Published

7 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine concealed in body cream containers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

This operation, which was part of its efforts to dismantle two major drug cartels, led to six separate cocaine shipments destined for the UK. On September 16, NDLEA operatives seized 13.4 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in cocoa butter containers.

A cargo agent was arrested, directing investigators to 56-year-old Hammed Taofeek Ode, identified as the syndicate leader.

After weeks of intelligence gathering, the NDLEA coordinated with police to apprehend Ode, who had spent over 27 years in various European countries before returning to Nigeria in 2024.

“During his preliminary interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted ownership of the consignment, which he claimed he bought at over N150 million. He described himself as a businessman and real estate developer, ” the statement reads.

In another development, five attempts by a different cartel to export cocaine to the UK were thwarted between September 26 and October 2. On September 26, the NDLEA intercepted 2.1 kg of cocaine hidden in hair cream containers at MMIA, leading to the arrest of Smith David Korede. An additional 1.4 kg of cocaine was recovered from his location.

On October 2, two more suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, were arrested after two UK-bound shipments were seized. In other states, including Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Edo, and Kogi, several suspects were also arrested with varying amounts of tramadol and cannabis.