5 arrested in Bauchi for producing fake fertilizer

The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended five individuals suspected of manufacturing and distributing adulterated fertilizer and agricultural chemicals in the state.

According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Mohammed Ahmed Wakil, the arrests were made following credible intelligence that led police operatives to three illegal production sites.

At these locations, officers recovered large quantities of adulterated products and production equipment.

The crackdown began on May 10, 2025, when operatives from the Command’s Monitoring Unit arrested one Muhammad Abubakar in Magaji Quarters, Bauchi.

He was found with six bags of suspected fake fertilizer and 46 bottles of adulterated herbicides.

A subsequent search of his residence revealed materials linked to the illegal operation, including empty herbicide cartons, sacks labeled NPK and Indorama, a jerrycan, spoons, charcoal stoves, nylon bundles, and chemicals such as Ztars and lambda powder.

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During interrogation, Abubakar reportedly confessed and implicated another suspect, Abubakar Umar, also a resident of Magaji Quarters.

Further investigations led to the May 14 arrest of Anas Abubakar, 32, at his shop on Gombe Road. He was found with over 44 bags of adulterated fertilizer and claimed he obtained his supplies from Abdulrahaman Muhammad, 24, of Bakaro Quarters, who provided him with moulded kaolin used in the mixing process.

The investigation expanded with the arrest of Ziya’u Bala, 27, from Gudum Hausawa. He guided officers to Natsira Hamlet near Kangere Village, where a major illegal production facility was discovered, housing around 100 bags of fake fertilizer.

Two other suspects, Sama’ila Abdullahi, 34, and Mujahid Abdullahi, 32, were also linked to the operation. They reportedly admitted to producing and selling the fake products through Abdulrahaman.

Police dismantled all three production sites and seized the equipment used in the operation.

The suspects remain in custody and will face charges once investigations are completed.

Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, reiterated the Command’s resolve to combat agricultural product fraud and ensure offenders are brought to justice.