The Defence Headquarters says the troops of ‘Operation Delta Safe’ on January 9, impounded 1,184 bags of Yaraliva Nitrabor Fertilizer around Effiat Waterways in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the activities of the military between January 7, 2021, and January 13, 2021, on Thursday in Abuja.
Enenche said the impounded fertilizers were intercepted in a large-wooden boat suspected to have been smuggled from Cameroon with two suspects on board.
He said that the suspects and items were currently in the custody of the ‘Operation Delta Safe’ and would be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting authorities for further action.
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Enenche stated that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has a policy on the use of fertilizers in the country due to criminal usage of the product other than for agricultural purposes. He said that the policy had prohibited individuals from bringing in fertilizers and selling them to potential end-users.
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“Equally, while fertilizers are majorly for agricultural purposes, the possibility of their being acquired by criminal gangs, terrorists and militants for sinister purposes cannot be disregarded.
“This is why fertilizers have remained a potential component for the fabrication of explosives owing to its content of ammonium nitrate.
“Furthermore, the fertilizers impounded can pose a security threat considering the current security challenges in the country,” he said. T
he coordinator said that troops also arrested a medium-size wooden boat laden with 17 drums of 300 litres of PMS with two suspects while on routine patrol around Mbo River on Monday.
He also disclosed that the NN Ship DELTA in conjunction with FOB ESCRAVOS had on January 11, discovered a large-wooden boat laden with no less than 215,000 litres of stolen crude oil along Jones Creek in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to him, these arrests affirm the military’s commitment toward eradicating sundry crimes in the country.
“The High Command reassures the general public of its untiring commitment toward securing the country. Members of the general public are enjoined to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the military and other security agencies for prompt and effective action,” he said.
