The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kwara Command has advised petroleum marketers against stockpiling and selling fuel at prices higher than the regulated pump price.
The warning is included in a statement signed by Mr Babawale Afolabi, the command’s spokesperson, and released to journalists on Sunday in Ilorin.
“They should not create artificial scarcity by stockpiling things,” according to the statement.
The warning was issued by the State Commandant, Mr Makinde Ayinla, while visiting certain gas outlets in Ilorin, according to the report.
“The Command will not hesitate to close any errant filing station and punish the proprietors,” he stated.
Based on the intelligence, certain filling stations were suspected of selling fuel for as much as N250, which is more than the regulated pump price of N165,” he stated.
According to the statement, some gas stations “were detected in the act and were told to restore to the prescribed price.”
NNPC in Surulere, Topland and Demo in Amilegbe, Total Comfort and Oilfield in Ita-Amo were among the stations visited.
According to the statement, the operation will continue on Monday with the examination of other filling stations.