The fuel vendors will now be arrested

The Inspector Genera of Police, Solomon Arase has clarified the order given to police commands to arrest illegal dealers in petroleum products, especially people buying petrol in plastic jerry cans and selling by road side.

In a statement by ACP Adebisi Kolawole, Arase said  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”.

On Tuesday Arase has ordered all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, FCT and State Command Commissioners of Police to arrest anybody found selling petrol and other petroleum products in plastic containers.

Arase  noted that part from the hardship this act was causing to fuel buyers, it had also rendered some innocent and law abiding citizens homeless as a result of fire outbreak.

The statement noted that fuel products such as petrol were highly flammable and if not stored and handled properly, could seriously endanger people’s lives, property and the environment.

It warned fuel attendants at filling stations to desist from selling petrol inside jerry cans and plastic containers.

The statement said both the buyers and the sellers of the products would be arrested and prosecuted under the law.