The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended five suspects allegedly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated fertilizer and farming chemicals, according to a statement released by the Command's spokesperson, CSP Mohammed Ahmed Wakil.

The arrests followed intelligence reports that led police officers to three illegal production sites where large quantities of fake agricultural products and production equipment were recovered.

On May 10, 2025, operatives from the Command's Monitoring Unit arrested Muhammad Abubakar at Magaji Quarters, Bauchi. He was found with six bags of suspected fake fertilizer and 46 bottles of adulterated herbicides. A search of his residence uncovered incriminating items including empty cartons of herbicides, sacks labeled NPK and Indorama, a jerrycan, spoons, charcoal stoves, nylon bundles, and chemicals such as Ztars and lambda powder.

Abubakar reportedly confessed to the crime and implicated Abubakar Umar, a resident of the same area, as an accomplice.

In a related operation on May 14, police arrested 32-year-old Anas Abubakar at his shop along Gombe Road following a tip-off. He was caught with over 44 bags of adulterated fertilizer and revealed that he had sourced materials from Abdulrahaman Muhammad, 24, of Bakaro Quarters, who supplied him with moulded kaolin used in the adulteration process.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Ziya'u Bala, 27, of Gudum Hausawa, who directed detectives to Natsira Hamlet near Kangere Village, where a major illicit production site containing approximately 100 bags of adulterated products was discovered.

Police investigations uncovered two more illegal operations run by Sama'ila Abdullahi, 34, and Mujahid Abdullahi, 32, both of whom admitted to selling fake products through Abdulrahaman.

All three production sites have been dismantled, and machinery used in the operations was recovered. The suspects remain in custody, and charges will be filed upon conclusion of the investigation.

Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, reaffirmed the Command's commitment to cracking down on such criminal enterprises and ensuring justice is served.

This arrest comes at a critical time for farmers in Bauchi State who rely on quality agricultural inputs for their livelihoods. The production and distribution of adulterated fertilizer and farming chemicals pose significant threats to agricultural productivity and food security in the region.