The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Kano State has found and sealed a huge stash of industrial chemicals thought to be able to produce explosives.
According to reports, the Kwakwachi facility in the Fagge Local Government Area held 88,560 litres of hazardous materials, including extremely concentrated nitric and sulphuric acids.
Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, told reporters during a site inspection on Wednesday that the finding was extremely concerning.
The agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, was present to represent Professor Adeyeye.
According to Iluyomade, the warehouse was holding 60,000 litres of sulphuric acid (at 90.5% concentration) and 28,560 litres of nitric acid (at 68% concentration). Also discovered were 330 empty jerricans—evidence that some of the chemicals had already been distributed to unknown individuals.
“What we have seen here is mind-boggling, I don’t think I have ever seen this quantity of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid together in one place like this before,” Adeyeye said.
She explained that it was NAFDAC officials who, acting on a tip-off, traced the warehouse and found it operational. However, only a single staff member—the warehouse manager—was present at the time of the raid. He was immediately taken into custody.
NAFDAC said the person listed as the warehouse’s owner is not recognized as a licensed chemical marketer, which raises further red flags about the nature of the business being conducted.
“The owner is not listed as a chemical marketer. We keep a database to monitor the importation, use, and disposal of such chemicals. These acids are controlled chemicals that are not to be handled by just anybody,” she said.
Adeyeye stressed that importing this category of chemicals is a highly regulated process. It requires security clearance and permits, none of which were available in this case.
“Importing such chemicals requires clearance from the National Security Adviser and permits, none of which the owner possessed.”
“Permit and clearance is important because these chemicals are used to manufacture explosives.”
The volume of substances found in the warehouse, she noted, posed a grave threat to public safety.
“The volume we have here is enough to destroy the whole of Kano if mishandled,” she warned.
With the prime suspect still at large, NAFDAC said it has begun interrogating the arrested warehouse manager to uncover the chain of custody and determine the final destination of the chemicals.
Prof. Adeyeye further assured the public that the seized chemicals would be destroyed in accordance with environmental and safety regulations to prevent any misuse.
