Five security operatives, a storekeeper and an accomplice have been arrested for alleged diversion of 9,000 kilogram of high caliber explosives and over 16, 420 pieces of detonators in the Niger Delta.
The National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Monguno, (retd), said that investigation conducted into the incessant attacks on oil facilities in the oil rich region revealed that commercial explosives and accessories were used for the dastardly acts.
Monguno made the comment during a meeting with Manufacturers of Fertilizers in Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday.
The NSA said that the Federal Government may withdraw the licenses of two manufacturers of fertilizers in the country, Notore Petrochemical and Indorama Eleme Petrochemical, for alleged sabotage of the nation’s economy by exporting fertilizer meant for local consumption.
He said, “A detailed audit of the records of explosives magazines and quarries in that region was conducted, which revealed the diversion of about 9000kg of high explosives and 16,420 pieces of detonators for illegal use.
“The actors, including the store man of a major explosives distribution company in Nigeria, an accomplice and five security operatives have been arrested and handed over to appropriate authorities.
“Right now investigations are being conducted and I can assure you that they are deeply culpable and the necessary action will be taken on the conclusion of these investigations.
”Let me also reiterate that any individual or company that operates outside the confines of legitimacy or illegality will have itself to blame and we also want to add that the government of the day will not listen to any influence peddler in the society on behalf of any company that decides to sabotage national security.”
Monguno said that the Federal Government would take decisive action against any company whose actions were found to threaten the economy and security of the country.
The NSA explained that the intelligence community discovered that ‘the Improvised Explosive Devices being employed by the terrorists for their bombing campaigns were developed mainly from certain grades of fertilisers with particular reference to some nitrate based types including Urea Nitrate (synthesized from Urea).”
He said that the discovery made the Federal Government to regulate indiscriminate importation of fertilizers into the country as part of the efforts to curb the production of IEDs in the country by unscrupulous elements.
He added that the ONSA in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development ensured importation of necessary raw materials and distribution networks as a response to the national security challenge, and boosting the economy through local production by giving license to the two firms.
However, the NSA observed that 71 percent of 2.05 million metric tonnes of fertilizers produced annually by the two firms was being exported outside the country thereby creating an increase in the price of urea-based fertilizers to the detriment of food security in the country.
He said that the estimated annual fertilizer consumption rate of the country was 1.1 million metric tonnes which was 53 percent of the 2.05 percent while the companies had the 47 percent for export.
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