Barring whatever purpose the petrol is meant for, the inspector general of police, Mr. Solomon Arase, has ordered all police formations in the country to arrest all persons found selling petroleum product in plastic containers.
The directive has become imperative following concerns stemming from activities of black marketers who sell the product inside plastic jerrycans and other unauthorized containers.
The order was contained in a statement released by the force public relations officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.
Arase revealed that besides the hardship the action is causing to buyers, it has rendered some innocent persons and law abiding persons homeless due to fire outbreak from petrol stored in jerrycans.
The press release which was posted on the official facebook of the Police Force, explained that fuel products are highly inflammable and if not stored and handled properly, could seriously endanger people, property and environment.
The IGP warned fuel attendants at filling stations to desist from selling petrol inside jerry-can/plastic container, adding that both the buyers and the sellers of the products will be arrested and prosecuted under the law.