NSCDC recovers 2 diverted gov’t tractors in Yobe

The operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yobe State have intercepted two government-owned tractors allegedly being smuggled out of the state for illegal sale.

A security source told Daily Trust that the tractors were among the agricultural implements distributed by Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration under an agricultural support programme.

The tractors were reportedly diverted by officials who have long been suspected of selling government-owned farm machinery to neighbouring states.

It was gathered that the latest incident occurred when NSCDC personnel intercepted two tractors being moved from an estate along the bypass in Damaturu and headed towards the Nayinawa axis, allegedly en route out of the state.

A security source also confirmed that the tractors bore clear government insignia, leaving no doubt about their ownership.

“These tractors carry bold government identification. Despite that, no authorized official has come to claim them or provide documentation. Instead, we have seen strong behind-the-scenes pressure to release them quietly,” the source said.

According to the source, the NSCDC officer who made the arrest insisted that all parties involved must appear to provide explanations before the tractors could be released.

His refusal to bow to pressure allegedly angered influential interests both within the NSCDC Corps and in the state bureaucracy.

Daily Trust gathered that the officer was subsequently transferred out of Yobe State in what insiders described as an attempt to “bury the case and silence resistance”.

Investigations further revealed that this was not the first time of diversion of agricultural machinery under the state’s empowerment scheme.

Some of the tractors were reportedly smuggled and sold in a neighbouring state months earlier, with no internal accountability action taken.

A senior agricultural stakeholder, who pleaded anonymity, said: “This is pure economic sabotage. These tractors were procured to support farmers and strengthen food security. Diverting them for personal gain is not just theft, it is an attack on the state’s development.”

Daily Trust reports that the tractors remain in NSCDC custody pending official claim and clarifications. All the efforts of Daily Trust correspondent to balance the report from both the NSCDC and the Ministry of Agriculture proved abortive as they have not issued any public statements on the development as at the time of filing this report.

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