NSCDC uncovers fake fertilizer syndicate, arrests five

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), have uncovered a fake fertilizer syndicate in Jos, Plateau state where five persons were arrested in connection with the diversion of ammonium sulphate used for the fake fertilizer and sold to unsuspecting farmers at N25, 900.

This arrest came on the heels of concerns of sabotage in the fertilizer chain of distribution by notorious individuals bent on thwarting efforts of the federal government to reach local farmers with farm input in the state.

Special Intelligence Squad of the Commandant General of the NSCDC Dr. Audi Audi who exposed the syndicate, noted that the five suspects, who are members of the syndicate who specialize in the diversion of granular ammonium sulphate, the key raw material in the production of fertilizer.

The agency in a statement by its spokesman, Babawale Afolabi, said it is determined to thwart notorious moves by saboteurs who are hell-bent on sabotaging federal government policies and efforts in ensuring adequate provision of fertilizers to farmers in the country thereby providing an enabling environment for agro-allied activities to thrive

“The diverted granular ammonium sulphate that is used in the production of fertilizer is a property of fertilizer producers and suppliers association of Nigeria( FEPSAN) but was diverted, bagged and sold by the saboteurs to unsuspected buyers and farmers at the rate of 25,900 naira per bag.

“On the 2nd September, 2023 at about 1720hrs, the commandant general’s special intelligence squad, acting on a credible intelligence bursted two separate location; No 3, Dogon Dutse area, in Jos North and Kasuwan Kara area, Bukuru all in Jos Plateau State and succeeded in recovering large quantities of diverted bags of Granular Amonium Sulphate( GAS).

“The products is meant to be used for the production of fertilizer and to be sold at subsidized rate to the farmers in the federal government bid to sustain the national food security programme and encourage food production in the country,” the statement contains.

It adds that the “Five suspects were arrested from the two separate locations and large quantity of bags of different fertilizer products materials were recovered.”.

The arrested suspects are listed as Ibrahim Muhammed, 63, Ladan Anas, 26, Umar Said Muhammed, 37, Hambale Usman, 46 and Junaid Ubale, 30.

“Among the exhibit recovered are 740 bags of prohibited granular amonium sulphate, 24 bags of Urea Dangote fertilizers, 65 bags of indorama fertilizers, 130 bags of NPK Barbados fertilizers, 29 cartons of ultrachol chemical, 109 (20) liters of knapsack spraying pump among other items.”