The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down an unregistered chemical warehouse in Kano State following the discovery of a massive stockpile of hazardous materials suspected to be linked to the illegal production of explosives.
Acting on a tip-off, NAFDAC enforcement officers raided the warehouse located in the Kwakwachi area of Fagge Local Government on Wednesday. During the inspection, officials discovered 60,000 litres of sulphuric acid and 28,560 litres of nitric acid, along with 330 empty jerricans—quantities that the agency described as “unprecedented” and highly dangerous.
Speaking on behalf of NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, enforcement director Dr. Martins Iluyomade said the scale of the find was alarming.
“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,” he stated.
According to NAFDAC, the warehouse operator is not listed in the agency’s database of licensed chemical marketers and lacked the necessary permits from the Office of the National Security Adviser—raising grave concerns over the origin and intended use of the chemicals.
“These are controlled substances that require strict regulation. Their misuse can result in catastrophic consequences. The volume here is enough to devastate an entire city like Kano,” Adeyeye warned.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the warehouse owner, who is currently on the run. NAFDAC says it is working in collaboration with national security agencies to uncover the network behind the illegal stockpile.
“This goes beyond regulatory non-compliance—it is a national security threat. We will track down all individuals involved and ensure they face the full weight of the law,” Adeyeye concluded.
The agency has vowed to intensify its monitoring of chemical importation and distribution across the country to prevent similar security risks.
