Wheat Production: More People Arrested For Fraud In Jigawa

…AFAN Disowns Embattled Local Chairman

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

The allegation of diversion of agricultural inputs for dry season wheat farming in Jigawa state on Wednesday took a different dimension as the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested 10 more Agro dealers accused of diverting federal wheat farming inputs.

The Chairman of the Commission, Salisu Abdu confirmed the further arrest while responding to alleged fraudulent activities by some Agro dealers.

The development is coming on the heels of Governor Umar Namadi’s directive for the arrest officials involved in diverting agricultural inputs and extortion of beneficiaries in the state including the state Chairman of a local government branch of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria, (AFAN) on Sunday

It would be recalled that Namadi had on Sunday directed the arrest of AFAN chairman of the Kiyawa local government, Isyaku Katanga because he was found to have added N 3000 over the official prices approved by the federal and state governments for wheat and other agricultural inputs in the state.

The state Anti-corruption agency confirmed that the suspects were arrested in Dutse, Kiyawa, and Miga local government areas.

Those arrested included impersonators, fraudsters and Agro dealers allegedly conniving to purchase the inputs from the beneficiaries.

The Chairman said the commission recovered over 530 bags of fertilizer and other agricultural inputs, saying, the commission would continue with the exercise in other local governments for accountability while the suspects will be taken to court after investigation.

Meanwhile, the state chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has distanced itself from the activities of the embattled Kiyawa chairman, Katanga.

The state. chairman of AFAN, Auwal Garba Ibrahim in statement expressed dismay over allegations of fraudulently extorting money from farmers across Jigawa State.

brahim who promised to fish out the suspected fraudsters to face the wrath of the law, said the association observed with dismay how the suspected fraudsters go about impersonating AFAN leaders collecting money from farmers in the name of registration for special Agricultural Intervention.

According to him, the programme mentioned or registration by the fraudsters is fake and not existing anywhere, and called on the farmers to report the suspects to any nearest AFAN executive of security agency.

Auwal described the activities of such fraudsters is capable of creating mistrust between farmers and leaders which is tantamount to undermine the Jigawa state and federal government policy on agriculture.

“We want to make it clear that the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Jigawa State Chapter has no such practice, and we do not charge farmers for any of our services or support programs by the Federal or State Government or any organization”

“We strongly condemn this illegal, inhuman and unethical behaviour. The syndicate involved in this extortion scheme are not legitimate leaders/agents of our association in any capacity”.

“We urge farmers and the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately to local authorities and our office” AFAN .