By Adeyanju Esther
Five persons have been detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Plateau State Command for allegedly diverting two trucks loaded with 70 metric tons of Indorama fertilisers.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASC Ruth Rimvyok,in a statement provided this information to journalists.
Rimvyok explained that the suspects were apprehended in the Mararaban Jama’a area of Jos South Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, based on a tip-off received through an intelligence report.
According to her, the allocation documents revealed that the fertilisers, which were designated for Lagos and Oyo States, were being redirected to Bauchi State instead.
“Acting promptly on intelligence reports from our headquarters and the National Security Adviser’s office, our personnel arrested these five suspects on August 21 and 23, respectively.”
She stated, “The suspects were apprehended along with two trucks, each carrying 35 metric tonnes of government Indorama fertiliser that was intended for Lagos and Oyo States but was being diverted to Bauchi State.”
Rimvyok said, “investigations are continuing as authorities work to uncover the individuals responsible for orchestrating the diversion of the products.”
One of the suspects, Abubakar Mohammed, however, denied any wrongdoing, asserting that they were instructed to transport the fertiliser to Bauchi State.