By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Gombe State Command, has arrested seven syndicates who specialize in blending fake fertilizers from sand to dupe unsuspecting farmers of the state.
Speaking when he led a press team, men and officers of the corps to the blending site in Nasarawo, Gombe, the NSCDC State Commandant Muhammad Bello Mu’azu, said the suspects majorly carry out their nefarious activities at night.
Corps Commandant Bello Mu’azu said the core culprit who owns the blending plant is at large, assuring that as investigation is on going, the major suspect will soon drop into their net.
He advised farmers in the state to be extra vigilant, not to fall victim.
“My call to our farmers is they should shine their eyes to know what they are actually buying. They should examine it, put water on it and ensure it did not turned to mud”.
“When you buy fertilizers, please look for recognized and certified dealers for you not to end up wasting your money buying mud”, Bello Mu’azu advised.
Corps commandant Bello Mu’azu added that the suspects usually mixed a genuine bag of urea fertilizer with five to six bags of sand to make up the fake fertilizers.
While assuring of the NSCDC’s readiness and commitment to tame crime and criminality in the bud, the commandant said as soon as investigation is completed, the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.
Speaking to newsmen, the manager of the suspected fake fertilizer blending plant Usman Abubakar, said they import the sand used in making the fake fertilizer from Ƙanƙara, Katsina State.
“We use some genuine fertilizers, mixed it with cement, sand of different colours and other substances to make up the new fertilizer”, he confessed.
Usman said they have been into the black market business for more than two year in Kano, and recently decided to have a new branch in Gombe.
He said they have so far produced and sell more than 1,000 bags of fabricated NPK 20-10-10 and other fertilizers across the state, under the brand name ‘Dala Fertilizer’ at the rate of ₦22,500 per bag.
