The Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intercepted 1,571 liters of petroleum products being illegally transported in jerricans to banditry-prone areas.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the State Commandant, Sani Mustapha, the Public Relations Officer of the command, Umar Muhammad, revealed that four suspects were arrested in connection with the crime at two separate locations.
Among them were two filling station pump attendants and two buyers apprehended in Birnin Magaji and Tsafe Local Government Areas of the state.
According to Muhammad, aside from transporting fuel from unauthorized locations, the suspects also violated the Executive Order prohibiting the sale of petroleum products in jerricans within Zamfara State.
He stated that two of the suspects were caught in Birnin Magaji with 1,296 liters of fuel, while the other two were arrested in Tsafe with 275 liters of the product.
“Today, we bring before you four suspects apprehended for illegal dealings of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in large quantities, violating the National and State Executive Order of petroleum products sales to retailers in Jerrycans.
“These suspects were apprehended in Birnin-Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State and Tsafe Local Government. The suspects arrested from Birnin-Magaji are Haruna Umar ‘M’ 26year old, manager and pump attendant of Makama Filling station and Nura Aliyu ‘M’ 26year old, a clearing agent of the PMS being transported to dark spot.”
“Suspects arrested from Tsafe Local Government are Sani Lawal ‘M’ 25year old from Dan-Marna filling station and Halifa Bawa ‘M’ 20year from Rahim station.”
“In Birnin-Magaji, a total of 1,296 littes in 36 jerrycans at a cost of N1,368,800 at over N1,050 per litre without operating license, clearance from Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, the PMS is suspected to be on transit to dark spot in the region.”
“In Tsafe Local Government, the PMS was acquired from Dan-marna filling station, a total 275 litres at a cost of N324,000, it was equally acquired without operating license or clearance from the state Ministry of internal security and Home Affairs, the PMS was intended for Dapkin Kazai Village of Tsafe Local Government, an area dominated by bandits and banditry activities.”
The NSCDC assured that investigations are ongoing and reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the law to curb illegal fuel diversion and activities that could aid insecurity in the state.
