The Gombe State offices of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Thursday, raided a local factory involved in the illegal production of herbicides, weedicides, and insecticides.
The PUNCH reports that while the factory owner is at large, three suspects including the owner’s wife were arrested.
Speaking at the site where the factory was sealed, the state Director of SON, Mohammed Bukar, revealed that the raid was based on credible intelligence.
Bukar stated, “We discovered that they used to fake so many products, they buy actual materials to produce their own. They mix chemicals and sell them as if they are real products from the actual company.
“It is our duty to get rid of the products in the market. We can’t do it alone SON has to collaborate with NSCDC to make sure farmers here get value for their money.
“It will be unfortunate to go to the market to buy products after applying it you won’t get results. We have got their raw, packaging materials which clearly shows they are perpetrating the heinous act here. They just mimic your own company and will not use the actual ingredients after consumers buy they don’t get value for their money.”
While commenting on the arrest, Bukar added, “We only got the wife of the person doing the work. These chemicals are intended to produce herbicides, insecticides, and weedicides. The owner of this place is currently in Taraba State which means the products have spread to nearby states, they go to village markets.”
On his part, the state Commandant, NSCDC, Muhammad Bello, assured the general public that the perpetrators would face trial in court while urging the public to carry due diligence in purchasing products.
“I want to assure the general public that definitely he (perpetrator), will be arrested. Nemesis will catch up with perpetrators, many days for the thief, one day is for the owner,” Bello added.