The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has recovered 959 bags of adulterated fertiliser from alleged syndicates in Jos.

A statement by the NSCDC spokesman, Babatunde Afolabi, on Tuesday said five persons were arrested in connection with the crime by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CGsSIS).

Mr Afolabi said preliminary investigation revealed that the gang specialised in diverting key raw materials used to produce fertilisers.

He said part of the recovered products are 740 bags of prohibited granular ammonium sulphate, 24 bags of Urea Dangote fertilisers and 65 bags of indorama fertilisers.

Mr Afolabi added that also recovered were “130 of NPK Barbados fertilisers, 29 cartons of ultrachol chemical, 109 (20) litres of knapsack spraying pump amongst other items. “

The NSCDC spokesman said the suspects diverted, bagged, and sold the products to unsuspecting buyers and farmers at N25,900 per bag.

Mr Afolabi further revealed that the syndicates specialised in diverting granular ammonium sulphate used in producing fertiliser by the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN).

“The products are meant to be used for the production of fertiliser and to be sold at a subsidised rate to farmers.

“This is in a bid by the FG to sustain the national food security programme and encourage food production in the country.

“The FG is determined to thwart the notorious moves of saboteurs who are hell-bent to sabotage the FG’s policies and efforts in ensuring adequate provision of fertilisers to farmers in the country,” he said.

Mr Afolabi said the commandant general of the corps, Ahmed Audi, had been briefed and had ordered the immediate transfer of the five suspects and their case file to NSCDC Headquarters for further investigation.

(NAN)