Fuel scarcity hits Lagos, worsens in Abuja, others
A foodstuffs seller, Innocent Nwevo, has been arrested with 47 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.
Nwevo, who sold foodstuffs in a shop
opposite the Ogba Retail Market, Ogba, was arrested by officials of the
Ojodu Local Council Development Area and Nigerian Security and Civil
Defence Corps, on Monday.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Habib Aruna, said the team acted on a tip-off.
The Executive Secretary of the council,
Mallam Ahmed Jaji, was quoted as saying Nwevo had been engaging in
illegal sales of the product in the area for sometime before luck ran
out on him.
He
said, “We initially didn’t meet the culprit, but we later got him and
discovered several kegs of petrol, carefully concealed behind foodstuffs
and other commodities in the shop. To avoid being mobbed, the team took
both the suspect and the exhibit to the council.
“We thank God that an action that could
put our lives and property in jeopardy was discovered on time, because
who knows what could have happened if he was not apprehended. If a keg
should burst and catch fire, the whole of this area will be in crisis.”
He said the suspect would soon be handed over to the police for prosecution.
Nwevo admitted knowing that the business was illegal, but said he engaged in it due to his dwindling business fortune.
He said he was introduced to the business by one Mr. John, who resided in the Mowe area of Ogun State.
Nwevo said, “I have six shops in the
area but unfortunately, those working with me went away with all my
business money, which made things difficult for me. To make ends meet,
one of my friends introduced me to the business.
“I purchase the fuel from the Mowe area and transport it in a vehicle to sell for N5,000 per 50 litres.”
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