Bauchi State Police Dismantles Massive Adulterated Fertiliser Syndicate, Arrests Five Suspects

 

In a major breakthrough in the fight against fake agricultural inputs in Nigeria, the Bauchi State Police Command has successfully uncovered and dismantled a well-organized illegal fertiliser production network operating across multiple locations in the state. The operation, carried out with precision and backed by solid intelligence, led to the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of large quantities of adulterated fertiliser and herbicides, as well as equipment used in the illegal manufacturing process.

This significant development was confirmed by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, in an official press statement released on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. According to Wakil, the Command acted swiftly on intelligence provided by credible sources, ensuring that the syndicate’s operations were brought to a halt before further harm could be inflicted on unsuspecting farmers and the agricultural sector at large.

“On 10 May 2025, at about 1300 hours, operatives of the Command's Monitoring Unit acted promptly based on intelligence received from a reliable source. They detained Muhammad Abubakar, accused of producing adulterated herbicides at his residence in the Magaji Quarters of Bauchi,” the statement read.

How It All Started: The First Arrest in Magaji Quarters

The first major arrest in the operation occurred on May 10, 2025, at approximately 1:00 PM. Acting on actionable intelligence, officers from the Monitoring Unit tracked down and arrested Muhammad Abubakar, who was allegedly engaged in the illegal production of fake herbicides and fertiliser at his home in Magaji Quarters, Bauchi.

The suspect was apprehended in a local market while in possession of six bags of suspected adulterated fertiliser and forty-six bottles of fake herbicides. His arrest marked the beginning of a broader investigation that would soon unravel a deeper network of illicit operations.

"The suspect was traced down and captured in the market while possessing six bags of suspected adulterated fertiliser and forty-six bottles of adulterated herbicides.”

A follow-up search warrant executed at his residence revealed a significant collection of items used in the production of the counterfeit agricultural inputs. Among the items recovered were:

• Thirty-eight empty cartons of various herbicide brands

• Fourteen NPK sacks

• Nine Indorama fertiliser sacks

• One empty jerrycan

• Five metal spoons used for mixing chemicals

• Charcoal stoves for heating materials

• A bundle of nylon wrapping

• Sacks containing Ztars and lambda powder, which are known active ingredients in herbicides.

"A subsequent search warrant executed at his residence yielded several incriminating items, including: thirty-eight empty cartons of assorted herbicides, fourteen NPK sacks, nine Indorama sacks, one empty jerrycan, five spoons, charcoal stoves, a bundle of nylon and sacks containing Ztars and lambda powder.”

Unraveling the Network: One Arrest Leads to Another

During interrogation, Muhammad Abubakar confessed to his role in the illegal operation and named Abubakar Umar, another resident of Magaji Quarters, as an accomplice. This disclosure further widened the scope of the investigation.

Just a few days later, on May 14, 2025, at around 5:00 PM, the police received another tip-off from a concerned citizen regarding illegal activities at a shop along Gombe Road. The shop was owned by Anas Abubakar, aged 32.

“In a related incident on 14 May 2025, at about 1700 hours, the Command received information from a concerned citizen regarding the illegal production and sale of adulterated fertiliser at a shop owned by Anas Abubakar, aged 32, situated along Gombe Road.”

Upon raiding the shop, police discovered forty-four and a half bags of adulterated fertiliser. Anas Abubakar was promptly arrested and later admitted to obtaining the materials used in the fake fertiliser from Abdulrahaman Muhammad, a 24-year-old resident of Bakaro Quarters, Bauchi. Although Anas initially denied direct sales of the fake fertiliser, he confessed to supplying moulded kaolin, a raw material used to dilute or fake genuine fertiliser.

“During his interrogation, Anas Abubakar admitted to purchasing the illicit products from Abdulrahaman Muhammad, aged 24, of Bakaro Quarters, Bauchi. Although he denied selling the adulterated fertiliser, he acknowledged supplying raw materials, such as moulded kaolin used in the adulteration process.”

Further investigation led detectives to Ziya’u Bala, a 27-year-old from Gudum Hausawa, who was reportedly the source of the kaolin. Ziya’u cooperated with authorities and directed the police to an illegal production hub located in Natsira Hamlet via Kangare Village.

At the site, officers uncovered approximately one hundred bags and several heaps of adulterated fertiliser, clearly indicating the large-scale nature of the operation.

“This facility housed approximately one hundred bags and additional heaps of the adulterated product.”

More Arrests as Operation Expands

Following further leads, police discovered that Anas had been using the materials sourced from Abdulrahaman to blend with Urea fertiliser in order to create counterfeit fertiliser sold as genuine.

"Anas later confessed to utilising adulterated materials sourced from Abdulrahaman, which he blended with Urea fertiliser to produce the adulterated fertiliser."

The raid yielded more incriminating evidence, including:

• Forty-four bags and heaps of adulterated fertiliser

• One hundred bags of moulded kaolin

• Twelve bags of fertiliser

• One bag of genuine Urea fertiliser

The investigation soon uncovered two additional illegal fertiliser factories owned by Sama’ila Abdullahi (34) of Natsira Hamlet and Mujahid Abdullahi (32) of Kangere Village. Both men were arrested and confessed to producing and selling adulterated fertiliser to Abdulrahaman, who served as a major distributor in the illegal supply chain.

“Further investigations revealed two additional illicit production facilities owned by Sama'ila Abdullahi, aged 34, of Natsira Hamlet, and Mujahid Abdullahi, aged 32, of Kangere Village, both of whom were also arrested. They confessed to selling their illicit goods to Abdulrahaman, who in turn supplied Anas.”

Police Actions and Public Assurance

All the illegal production facilities were dismantled, and machinery used in the operations was seized as evidence. This crackdown, one of the most comprehensive in recent times, underscores the commitment of the Bauchi State Police Command to fight criminal activities that endanger the agricultural economy and food security in Nigeria.

“Despite the challenges, the three illicit facilities were dismantled, and all associated machinery was recovered as exhibits.”

The Commissioner of Police for Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, psc(+), mni, has reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to justice and transparency in handling the matter. He assured the public that every suspect involved will face the full wrath of the law.

“Upon the completion of the investigation, the relevant charges will be brought before the courts.”

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for Nigerian Agriculture

The illegal production and distribution of adulterated fertiliser in Nigeria pose a significant threat to the nation's food security. Farmers rely heavily on genuine fertiliser to improve crop yields and maintain soil fertility. The use of fake or substandard agricultural inputs can lead to poor harvests, financial losses, and environmental degradation.

By dismantling this network, the Bauchi State Police has not only taken criminals off the street but has also protected thousands of farmers from falling victim to fraudulent products. As Nigeria continues to invest in its agricultural sector, maintaining the integrity of farm inputs must remain a top priority.