Connect with us

Metro

Rice farmers association chair arrested for allegedly stealing fertilizers, insecticide

Published

on

Auto dealer arraigned for laundering N207m

The Chairman of Rice Farmers’ Association of Nigeria, Gummi Local Government Area chapter, Zamfara State has been arrested by operatives of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for allegedly stealing fertilizers and herbicide.

A statement by the commission’s spokesperson, Tony Orilade on Wednesday said EFCC men also arrested the storekeeper of the council, Aminu Musa, and one Abdullahi Bashir alongside the suspect.

It was gathered that the suspects allegedly diverted three trucks of 1,800 bags of fertiliser and a truckload of herbicide meant for rice farmers in Gummi.

Rijiya, who is also the District Head of Rijiya Gummi, Gummi LGA, was said to have sold each bag of fertiliser for N3,000.

Read also: Protest in Ekiti Varsity over arrest of students by EFCC

Orilade revealed that the suspects were arrested following a petition by farmers in the area.

“Representatives of seven different groups of rice farmers had alleged that in July 2018, the Federal Government approved and disbursed 12 trucks of fertiliser and herbicide to 83 cooperative societies in Gummi, adding that no member of the association received the items as approved by the government.

“Also, efforts by the Gummi chapter of RIFAN to get the items back reportedly failed.

“EFCC investigations, however, revealed that Rijiya allegedly conspired with Musa to divert and sell the fertiliser and herbicide to Bashir for N17.1m.”

Orilade added that, “The suspects confessed to their roles in the crime while the three trucks of the fertiliser have been recovered from them. Efforts are on to recover the diverted herbicide. They will soon be arraigned.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now