NSCDC arrests five in Plateau for ‘diverting fertilisers’

The Plateau command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested five suspects over alleged diversion of trucks loaded with 70 metric tonnes of Indorama fertilisers.

Speaking to journalists on Monday in Jos, Ruth Rimvyok, spokesperson of the command, said the allocation papers of the two trucks indicated that the fertilisers, meant for Lagos and Oyo states, were being diverted to Bauchi. 

Rimvyok said the suspects were arrested around Mararaban Jama’a area of Jos south LGA of the state, following intelligence reports.

“Acting swiftly on intelligence reports from our headquarters and office of the National Security Adviser, our personnel apprehended these five suspects on Aug. 21 and 23, respectively,” Rimvyok said.

Rimvyok added that investigations were ongoing to determine those behind the diversion of the products.

“The suspects were arrested alongside two trucks loaded with 35 matric tonnes each of government Indorama fertiliser meant for Lagos and Oyo states but being diverted to Bauchi state,” he added. 

Abubakar Mohammed, one of the suspects, insisted that they were not diverting the products, but were asked to convey the fertilisers to Bauchi.

The federal government has been allocating fertilisers to states in a bid to tackle soaring food inflation across the country.