By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

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A sachet water producer in Ado-Ekiti, has been arrested and detained by the Ekiti State Police Command.

The suspect, Adewole (surname withheld) owns a  sachet water factory in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

He was arrested at the early hour of Tuesday in his factory located at 132LVA Omisanjana street, Ado-Ekiti and whisked away to the Ekiti State Police Command.

According to a source close to the police, the factory has been operating without the necessary permits and licenses, rendering its operations illegal.

Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Sunday Abutu, explained that the suspect who is currently undergoing interrogations at the command, will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations is completed on the matter.

It was also revealed that the suspect used to fetch water from a well within his factory and package it into sachets, and sell to members of the public.

The Hope Metro learnt that the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment, had in the last two weeks sealed off the factory, over allegations that the  source of water used for the production of the sachet water was generated from an abandoned well in a location across the road.

Speaking with newsmen, the leader of the team that sealed off the factory, Samuel Adebayo, explained that such unwholesome practice could cause epidermic, hence the need for urgent action.

According to him, the water factory was found to violate several standards and requirements set for sachet water production and thereby poses risk to public health.

In her response, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Tosin Aluko, noted that illegal operation of the pure water factory represents a clear disregard for public health and safety regulations.

She explained that the closure of the water factory serves as a stern warning to other businesses operating within the state to adhere strictly to environmental regulations and standards.