Army: Insurgents use fertiliser to produce IEDs

The Nigerian Army (NA) says troops of 28 taskforce brigade, Madagali, Adamawa, seized bags of fertilisers because the product is banned in the state. 

The Army made the clarification following accusation by farmers that troops were reselling the seized fertilisers at an exorbitant price.

In a statement on Wednesday, Haruna Sani, assistant director, army public relations, said fertiliser is banned in Adamawa because insurgents use it to produce improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Sani denied the allegation that troops were reselling the product to farmers, adding that the seized fertilisers have been handed over to the police.

“In order to put the record straight, it is pertinent to state that in Adamawa State there is currently a ban imposed on the importation of urea (fertiliser) by the state government,” the statement reads.

“The development is as a result of the activities of terrorists, who use fertilisers to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for their criminal activities.”

“Sequel to the ban by the state government, troops intercepted defaulters who were conveying about 200 bags of the banned product.

“The Nigerian Army has since handed over the seized fertilisers to the Nigerian police.”

The army asked residents in the state to support the military in the fight against insurgency.