Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, has ordered a crackdown on fuel black marketers, especially those who sell petroleum products inside plastic containers/jerry-cans.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, said in a statement today that the IGP 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 containers.

According to her, “The IGP, who issued the directives in Abuja on Monday, 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.”

•File Photo shows IGP Arase fielding questions from newsmen.