The inspector-general of police, Solomon Arase on Tuesday ordered the arrest and prosecution of sellers or buyers of petrol in jerry cans.
Arase, who gave the order to all zonal assistant inspectors-general of police, FCT and state command commissioners of police, states clearly that anybody found selling petrol and other petroleum products in plastic containers should be arrested.
The order which was given in a statement issued by acting commissioner of police and force public relations officer, Olabisi Kolawole, in Abuja, said apart from the hardship the act was causing to fuel buyers, it had also rendered some innocent and law-abiding citizens homeless as a result of fire outbreaks.
The statement noted that fuel products such as petrol are highly flammable and if not stored and handled properly, can seriously endanger people’s lives, property and the environment.
It warned fuel attendants at filling stations to desist from selling petrol inside jerry cans and plastic containers.
The statement said both the buyers and the sellers of the products would be arrested and prosecuted under the law.
It assured Nigerians of the readiness of the police to fulfill its constitutional mandate, and also appealed for more cordial relationship between the police and the public.
