Concerned by untold suffering as well as hazard emanating from the
activities of black marketers, especially those who sell petroleum
products inside plastic containers/jerry-cans, the Inspector-General of
Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, has directed 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 container.
The IGP, who issued the directives in Abuja on
Monday, April 25, said apart from the hardship this act is causing to
fuel buyers, it has also rendered some innocent and law abiding citizens
homeless due to fire outbreak from jerry-can petrol storage.
He noted that fuel products such as petrol are highly flammable and if
not stored and handled properly, can seriously endanger people, property
and the environment.
While warning fuel attendants at filling stations to desist from selling
petrol inside jerry-can/plastic container, the Inspector-General of
Police said both the buyers and the sellers of the products will be
arrested and prosecuted under the law.
The IGP, while assuring Nigerians of the Police readiness to fulfill its
constitutional mandate, appealed for a more cordial relationship
between the Police and the public.