Police clarifies clampdown on petrol black market operators; now target hoarding, diversion

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has clarified his earlier directive to all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and FCT/State Commands’ Commissioners of Police to arrest anybody found selling petrol and other petroleum products in plastic containers.
Arase, in that statement through ACP Olabisi Kolawole, the Force Public Relations Officer, Monday, warned petrol station attendants at filling stations to desist from selling petrol inside jerry-cans/plastic containers, saying both the buyers and the sellers of the products will be arrested and prosecuted under the law.
However, the police chief, in another statement, Thursday, by ACP Kolawole, clarified the order saying the directive was aimed at those engaged in hoarding and diverting of the product.
“Further to the Nigeria Police Force directives on the activities of unscrupulous elements who engage in illegal sale of petroleum products, there is need to make some clarification that the directive was specifically targeted at those who are involved in hoarding and diverting the petroleum products.
“However, those with genuine intention to use the products for their legal and genuine business are allowed to purchase the products.
“The IGP emphasized that no stone will be left unturned by the Police to checkmate those with the attitude of causing discomfort to the innocent citizens in the country,” the statement said.