The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed a warehouse in Kano State after uncovering over 88,000 litres of highly concentrated industrial chemicals commonly used in the production of explosives.
The warehouse, located in the Kwakwachi area of Fagge Local Government, was found to contain 60,000 litres of sulphuric acid at 90.5% concentration and 28,560 litres of nitric acid at 68% concentration. Authorities also discovered 330 empty jerricans, indicating a significant volume of the chemicals had already been distributed to unknown recipients.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed the development on Wednesday during a press briefing at the site. She was represented by the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade.
“What we have uncovered here is extremely alarming. I have never witnessed this scale of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid stored in one location,” Adeyeye said.
According to the agency, the facility was discovered through intelligence gathered by NAFDAC operatives. Only the warehouse manager—who has since been arrested—was present during the raid. The warehouse owner remains at large and is not registered as a licensed chemical dealer with the agency.
“These are classified as controlled chemicals. Their importation and storage require special clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser, in addition to valid permits, none of which were obtained,” Adeyeye explained.
She stressed the grave national security implications of the find, warning that the quantities stored posed a severe threat to public safety and could lead to catastrophic consequences if misused.
The arrested manager is currently being interrogated, while efforts are underway to trace the warehouse owner and uncover the intended recipients of the chemicals.
“We must get to the root of how these dangerous substances entered the country and who they were intended for. This is a serious breach of public safety,” she said.
NAFDAC assured the public that the chemicals will be safely disposed of in line with environmental and safety regulations to prevent any potential harm.
