The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down a registered water factory in Lafia, Nasarawa State, for illegally producing multiple unregistered water brands.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Director and Head of NAFDAC’s Lafia office, Mr. Anga Emmanuel, during a press briefing on Friday.

According to Emmanuel, the factory was originally licensed to produce Mainima Table Water but was found to be manufacturing four additional unregistered water products during a routine inspection. The illegally produced brands include Bilal Table Water, Nkonjun Table Water, Anumzi Table Water, and Agbeni Table Water — none of which are registered or originate from Lafia.

“One of the brands is even registered in Kaduna State,” he noted.

The agency also revealed that the factory’s operational license had expired and that the facility failed to meet minimum manufacturing compliance standards. A suspect, Mr. Christian Chukuma, was arrested at the scene.

Emmanuel explained that Bilal and Agbeni were registered in Doma Local Government Area, Nkonjun in Akwanga LGA, and Anumzi in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.

Describing the illegal operations as both fraudulent and dangerous to public health, he issued a stern warning to others involved in similar practices, emphasizing that violators would face full legal consequences.

“The factory has been shut down, and the culprit will be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent,” Emmanuel stated.

He also urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious or unregistered food and water products to NAFDAC for swift action.

Meanwhile, the suspect, Chukuma, confessed to producing the unregistered brands. He attributed his actions to economic hardship and pleaded for leniency, claiming that the facility’s actual owner was unaware of the illegal production, as he had only rented the premises.