NSCDC parades 2 suspects over alleged diversion, supply of adulterated fertilizer in Ebonyi 

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The Nigeria security and civil defense corps, NSCDC, Ebonyi State command on Wednesday paraded two suspects over alleged diversion and supplying of 62 adulterated fertilizer worth over #3.6million  to a fertilizer dealer whose name is yet to be identified at the time of filing this report.

The prime suspect; Chinedu Opu, who is still at large, hails from Oshiri community in Onitsha LGA of Ebonyi State is allegedly producing and supplying an adulterated fertilizer to dealers in the state.

The Nations News reports that the suspect, Opu through his driver, one Oliver Onyishi, supplied the adulterated fertilizer to a woman whose name is yet to be identified at her shop in the market, but was arrested by NSCDC.

The NSCDC commandant, Francis Nnadi who spoke to newsmen during the parade, said the command recovered over 60 adulterated fertilizer, and 3 free government fertilizer that was diverted by the beneficiaries.

According to Nnadi: “Ebonyi State government has turned to NSCDC, both in their revenue drives, from the Board of Internal Revenue,to other stakeholders in the state who generate revenue for the state. 

“Now, the Chairman of the Taskforce on Fertilizer, and the Chairman of the Ebonyi Fertilizer Company,have met us earlier. There was a need for us, because they believe in transparency,and they believe in our operational procedures.

“We start to partner. And then, after speaking to us earlier, we deployed a lot of intelligence out there, to make sure we nip it on the board. And, of course, that’s a testament of what you’re seeing today.

“We have been able to make some arrests. This is what we call economic sabotage. And I always say this, this is mankind wickedness to man kind.

“If a state governor will give over 50,000 bags of fertilizer for free, for food security, how can an indigent get involved in this? Well, yes, every day is for the thief. 

“One day is for the owner of the house. I want to use this opportunity to tell Ebonyians,and those who intend to go into this crime, or who are into it, desist from it now, because we are coming afteryou.

“We’ll get you, and at the appropriate time, after the investigation, you’ll be charged to court accordingly. And please, I want to use this opportunity to say thank you to Mr. Governor for his attention, his welfare packages to his people. He cares for his people” he stated.

Responding, theChairman of the Ebonyi State Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited Board, Mr. Eni Uduma said: “Mine is just to thank the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps for the positive partnership they have shown in combating this menace of fertilizer adulteration. 

“We are grateful to the governor who is making fertilizers abundant for the farmers to ensure that we have food security not only in Ebonyi State, but in Southeast and Nigeria as a whole.”I want to use this opportunity to talk to the agro-dealers.

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We have good agro-dealers who are honest businessmen. Those ones should partner with us the same way the Nigerian Civil Defense and Security Corps is doing so that we root out this evil” he lamented.

Also, the State Chairman Taskforce on Fertilizer Adoption and Relocation of Agro-Dealers, Mr. Vincent Uguru said: “So our work in the state is to get the state rid of adopted fertilizer and relocateagro-dealers to a place that the state government has designated to them to stay. Now the essence ofthis place that they are staying is to come in as in a cluster.

“Once they are in that cluster, whatever they bring into the state will be checked by a quality control post established by the state government in the market to make sure that whatever is coming into the state is genuine and proper NPK or any other fertilizer.

And to do that, the taskforce is to effect the relocation of these agro-dealers. It has not been very easy work” stated.