In a significant breakthrough against organized commercial crime, the Kebbi State Police Command has uncovered a multi-million naira agrochemical theft syndicate, arresting five suspects and recovering stolen herbicides valued at over ₦184 million.
The operation, led by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), followed a formal complaint lodged by Springfield Agro Limited, a Lagos-based agrochemical company. According to the report, a consignment of 1,925 cartons of Roundup 360XL herbicide — destined for Suleja and Abuja — was mysteriously diverted to Birnin Kebbi, triggering a discreet but swift investigation.
Police investigations revealed that the product was illegally offloaded and redistributed without the knowledge or consent of the rightful owners. A total of 1,562 cartons of the stolen chemicals were recovered, alongside ₦4.9 million in suspected proceeds from unauthorized sales.
The suspects in custody have been identified as Nura Abdullahi (45), Nura Muhammad (50), Bashar Abubakar (45), Sanusi Bojo (43) — all from Birnin Kebbi — and Aliyu Muhammad (48), a resident of Kashin Zama in Aliero Local Government Area.
According to the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, the case is being treated with utmost seriousness. He disclosed that the suspects will face prosecution for offenses including criminal conspiracy, theft, illegal possession of stolen goods, and money laundering.
Two principal suspects remain at large: the truck driver, Alhaji Bala, who is alleged to have masterminded the diversion, and Alhaji Danladi Maitaki (alias Danbatta), who is suspected to be a key accomplice. Police say efforts to apprehend both fugitives are ongoing, and inter-state surveillance has been activated.
Commissioner of Police Bello M. Sani, who commended the SCID for their investigative prowess, has ordered a discreet follow-up probe to identify any internal or external collaborators. He also stressed the importance of maintaining logistical integrity in Nigeria’s agricultural supply chain.
“This case underscores the need for robust corporate security measures and greater inter-agency coordination,” CP Sani stated. “We will pursue all suspects, prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law, and dismantle any network that threatens economic stability.”
The development has drawn attention to the broader issue of commercial cargo theft, a growing concern for manufacturers and transporters across Nigeria. Agrochemical theft, in particular, poses significant risks to national food security, given its direct impact on agricultural productivity and farmer access to critical inputs.
A representative of Springfield Agro Limited, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed satisfaction with the police’s swift action and urged the judiciary to ensure expedited prosecution.
“This was not just a business loss,” the company official said. “This diversion had the potential to sabotage ongoing planting operations across several northern states.”
The Roundup 360XL herbicide is one of the most widely used weed-control solutions in Nigerian commercial farming, and its disruption could have created ripple effects in the agricultural value chain.
The Kebbi State government has yet to comment officially on the incident, though local farmers have expressed concerns about the prevalence of theft and sabotage in the supply of farm inputs.
With a robust case file now being compiled and the suspects in detention, the Kebbi Police Command reiterated its commitment to securing businesses and critical economic infrastructure.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with supply chain vulnerabilities and rising inflation in agricultural commodities, the need for strategic policing, legal reform, and improved logistics monitoring becomes more urgent than ever.