25th September, 2024
By Polycarp Auta
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) in Plateau has detained three suspects over an alleged diversion of 35 tonnes of fertilizers.
Mr Alexander Barunde, the Commandant of the Corps, who confirmed the arrest on Wednesday in Jos, said personnel of the corps apprehended the suspects along Jos – Barkin Ladi road following an intelligence report.
“The granular ammonium sulphate fertilizer is an NPK blending input, procured by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority in the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative Programme.
“The fertilizers are given to the blenders at subsidised rates to blend and produce NPK brand of fertilizers at affordable rates for farmers to boost food production.
“It is boldly written on the bags ‘not for sale’ and the waybill for this product shows that it was allocated to Guarantee Fertilizers Company in Kano, but diverted by the suspects.
“This is unacceptable because it is a sabotage to the government’s food security programme,” he said.
Barunde said that investigations were still ongoing to unravel all those who participated in the criminal activity.
(NAN)
