In this report, GBENGA OLONINIRAN writes about the alarming rise of fake drinks in the country and their devastating impact on unsuspecting consumers, leading to kidney, liver, and brain issues
In 2021, the consumption of “substandard and fake” juices in Kano State claimed the lives of at least 10 people, while 50 others battled severe kidney-related illnesses.
The then-state Commissioner for Health, Ibrahim Tsanyawa, disclosed these harrowing details during an update on the tragic outbreak. He emphasised that the fake beverages wreaked havoc on vital organs, particularly the kidneys.
In a video shared with journalists in April 2021, Tsanyawa explained that out of the 400 people hospitalised due to the outbreak, 50 individuals were receiving treatment for kidney-related conditions.
“As you are aware, the Ministry of Health recently announced the outbreak of a strange disease traceable to the consumption of substandard juices,” he said. “The consumption of this fake and substandard product has telling effects on the kidney and other vital organs of the body.”
Tragically, the crisis continued into 2023 when eight more people died, and 11 others were left in critical condition after consuming alcoholic drinks at various locations in Ogun State. The state’s Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, confirmed these incidents in July 2023, issuing a stark warning to residents.
Coker stressed the grave risks associated with consuming locally brewed drinks and products not approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. She noted that the alarming incidents occurred between July 18 and 20, 2023, in the Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu local government areas.
She expressed concern over the unauthorised production and distribution of alcoholic beverages, warning that such practices posed significant health risks. “Such substances can lead to severe health complications and, in some cases, fatal outcomes, as evidenced by the recent incidents in Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu LGAs,” she said.
Booming fake drinks industry
Nigeria’s fake drinks industry is huge, with counterfeiters producing a wide range of adulterated beverages, including wines, soft drinks, and spirits. In a recent single clampdown, NAFDAC seized and destroyed fake drinks worth N750m and arrested 10 culprits in the South-East.
In December 2023, NAFDAC razed about 240 shops in Abia State, intercepting counterfeiters involved in the production of a variety of beverages including wines, soft drinks and consumables in Eziukwu Market (Cemetery Market), Aba.
The operation followed “several weeks of intelligence gathering and collation of data on the activities of these merchants of death,” the agency said in a statement published on its website.
The agency revealed that some of the activities of the counterfeiters included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products especially different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands ranging from Seaman Schnapps, Hennessy, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff Ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink, Cartel, and others.
“There is also date revalidation for expired products like Peak Milk, powdered milk, yoghurt, Coca-Cola products, and packaging of fake and substandard products, which are later sold to unsuspecting members of the public for consumption.
“Because of the extensive operation, the agency raided over 240 shops-turned-factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed.
“The shops-turned-factories are very filthy, using water from very unhygienic sources, harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles, and cloned packaging materials of other brands. The adulteration of alcoholic beverages by criminal elements in the country is done by mixing of cheaper sources of sugar and starch besides grapes or fruit, among other harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption,” NAFDAC said.
Over N500m worth of fake drinks have been reported seized in Lagos State this year as of the time of compiling this report in September 2024.
Among the drinks found in the custody of an illegal drink manufacturer in the Badagry area of Lagos during a raid on his hideout by NAFDAC in May 2024, were fake Hennessey drinks.
According to NAFDAC, its enforcement officers, aided by intelligence from the Nigerian Army’s 15 Field Engineering Regiment in Badagry, dismantled the operations of the suspect identified as Chinedu Okafor, who operated from his residence at 24, MTN Road, Badagry.
“Okafor’s suspicious activities caught the attention of the Nigerian Army, leading to his arrest and subsequent handover to NAFDAC officers at the Ports Inspection Directorate, Seme Border. Upon inspection, officers evacuated all equipment and materials used in the production of illicit drinks, effectively shutting down the illegal factory.
“Investigations revealed Okafor’s longstanding involvement in this criminal activity, which has potentially compromised regulated alcohol drinks in the Badagry area,” NAFDAC said in a statement on X.com.
The agency said Okafor would face prosecution, and all the fake products would be destroyed, “with an estimated value exceeding N50m.”
In June, the Lagos State Police Command arrested two men for producing adulterated alcoholic drinks at Oko-Arin Market on the Lagos Island.
According to the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, detectives arrested the suspects following credible information “that a group of boys were sighted at the Oke-Arin Market allegedly producing fake alcoholic drinks.”
“Items recovered from the suspects included five cartons of Jack Daniels drink, two cartons of Black Barrel drink, one carton of Williams Lawson drink and one carton of Jameson drink,” Hundeyin said.
NAFDAC enforcement officers also uncovered an illegal facility producing various alcoholic beverages in the same area on Lagos Island in August.
In a statement obtained by The PUNCH, the agency said after thorough surveillance, its officers discovered that several packing stores and rooms in the Oke-Arin market had been converted into makeshift factories where different brands of alcoholic drinks were being produced, packaged, and distributed in the open market.
“During the raid, over 2,000 cartons of empty bottles and already packaged drinks were seized, along with a mini plastic mixing tank, an improvised filter, and various packaging materials. Three suspects were arrested in connection with the illegal operation.
