NAFDAC seals warehouse stocked with explosive chemicals in Kano

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed a warehouse in Kano containing over 88,000 litres of highly concentrated chemicals used in making explosives.

The facility, located in the Kwakwachi area of Fagge Local Government, was stocked with 60,000 litres of sulphuric acid (90.5% concentration) and 28,560 litres of nitric acid (68% concentration), alongside 330 empty jerricans that had already been dispensed to unknown recipients.

NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, disclosed this during a press briefing at the site on Wednesday.

“What we have uncovered is alarming. I have never seen this volume of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid stored in one place,” Adeyeye said.

She revealed that the discovery was made by vigilant NAFDAC officers. On arrival, only the warehouse manager—who has since been arrested—was found on the premises. The warehouse owner, who remains at large, is not listed in the agency’s database of licensed chemical marketers.

“These are controlled substances. Importing or handling them requires special clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser and proper permits—none of which the owner has,” she explained.

Adeyeye emphasized the grave national security risks involved, warning that the volume of chemicals found was enough to cause widespread destruction if mishandled.

The arrested manager is currently being interrogated as authorities intensify efforts to locate and prosecute the warehouse owner.

“We need to find out how these dangerous chemicals were imported, and who they were meant for. This is a serious threat to public safety,” she added.

NAFDAC has vowed to dispose of the chemicals safely and in accordance with regulatory standards to prevent any potential harm to the public.