Operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) have raided and sealed an illegal disinfectant manufacturing facility at 14 Chris Ugoezu Street, Odume Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The Managing Director of the OCHA Brigade, Celestine Anere, revealed that the early Tuesday morning raid was part of an ongoing effort to eliminate unregulated and hazardous products from circulation in the state.
Addressing journalists in Onitsha on Wednesday, Anere stated that the factory was operating without regulatory approval and used crude manual-mixing tools, unlabelled chemicals, thinners, and counterfeit packaging materials to produce substandard household disinfectants and soaps.
“Officers discovered a large stockpile of unregistered chemicals, fake medicated and antiseptic soaps, and counterfeit versions of popular disinfectant brands—all lacking approval from NAFDAC,” he said. “This is not just an illegal operation—it poses a serious risk to public health.”
He noted that several suspects were arrested during the operation and are currently undergoing interrogation, while others who fled are being tracked for prosecution. All confiscated products have been taken in for proper disposal, and investigations are ongoing.
Anere warned that similar enforcement actions will continue across the state, adding that the government remains committed to protecting public health through strict enforcement of safety regulations.
Residents of the area expressed shock over the discovery. Ikechukwu Ukatwu, who lives in the same building, said, “We never suspected anything. The operator kept to himself and hardly interacted with anyone.” Another resident, Ms. Amarachi Deborah, described the factory’s operations as “highly discreet.”
The OCHA Brigade also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious industrial activities in their communities.