The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Kano said it has sealed 39 filling stations within the last two weeks in the state for selling petrol above the official pump price.

The DPR Zonal Controller, Alhaji IsahTafida disclosed this while briefing newsmen shortly after leading an operation in Kano city on Tuesday.

He said the department would continue to carry out similar operations with a view to checking the excesses of the marketers.

“The defaulting marketers have no reason not to be sanctioned because of what they are doing.”

Tafida said hoarding and selling petroleum products above the approved pump price was a gross violation of the law.

He said hoarders of the products risked being having the product seized and distributed free to the public.

NAN reports that as scarcity of petroleum motor spirit has paralysed socio-economic activities in the state with black marketers exploiting the situation to extort money from hapless motorists. (NAN)

•Photo shows fuel queue.