The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a large-scale counterfeit rice operation in Nasarawa State, seizing fake rice products valued at an estimated N5 billion. The operation, which took place on Thursday, led to the sealing of a factory and eight shops involved in the illegal packaging, selling, and distribution of counterfeit rice.
Acting on intelligence reports, NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Taskforce raided Ninjur Ventures, a factory located in Karu, which had been secretly packaging counterfeit rice under popular brand names like Royal Stallion, Big Bull, Mama’s Choice, Optimum, and Ultimate Gold. The fake rice was found in 25 kg and 50 kg bags, and empty sacks of branded packaging were also seized. Relevant documents related to the operation were confiscated during the raid.
The operation also extended to eight shops on Old Karu Road, implicated in the sale of the counterfeit products. Two shop owners were arrested during the bust. NAFDAC also apprehended a worker at the factory, who denied any involvement, claiming that the factory had ceased operations two days earlier. The factory owner, however, was not present during the raid.
Speaking on the operation, Kenneth Azikiwe, the Director of NAFDAC in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), emphasized that this raid is part of a nationwide effort directed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to eliminate counterfeit food products, especially ahead of the festive season. Azikiwe condemned the extent of counterfeiting in the food industry, stressing that the packaging materials found at the site showed how criminal elements deceive consumers into buying fake products.
Azikiwe revealed that NAFDAC had seized around 1,600 bags of fake rice during the operation, with an earlier raid at Wuse Market resulting in the seizure of over 400 additional bags. The total street value of the counterfeit products is estimated at N5 billion.
NAFDAC has vowed to continue its nationwide crackdown on food counterfeiting and warned that anyone found involved in such criminal activities will face the full weight of the law.
Consumers were also urged to ensure they purchase food products only from reputable sources and to verify that items are properly registered by NAFDAC, carrying the appropriate batch information and quality marks.
“We remain committed to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards counterfeiting to ensure that only safe and high-quality food products reach Nigerian consumers,” Azikiwe said.
