The Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, has ordered the arrest of all persons involved in sharing some kegs containing PMS (petrol) as souvenirs in a party.
Alabi described the act as regrettable and reprehensible.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, in a statement on Saturday; said that the perpetrators would be apprehended. He said that the attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to the video of a celebrator; giving out petrol as souvenirs in her party.
‘It’s regrettable that in spite of a series of warnings and sensitisations carried out by the Police and other relevant government agencies; some individuals could be handling such combustible substance in a public place in total disregard to safety of lives and properties.
“Still concerned about the safety and protection of lives and properties of citizens; the Lagos State Police Command once again appeals to citizens to avoid this kind of condemnable act in the name of generosity.”
Meanwhile, Ajisebutu said that the centre where the distribution of the petrol souvenirs took place has been located and subsequently sealed.
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1st News had reported how gallons of petrol were seen handed to guests at a party.
The event which witnessed the installation of Pearl Chidinma Ogbolu as the Erelu Okin of Orile Kemta; took place at the Havillah Event Place, Oniru, in Lagos. Videos of the gallons of petrol arranged for distribution at the venue had subsequently gone viral on social media; drawing widespread condemnation and swift action from the Lagos State Government and police authorities.
Equally important, the action of the hosts was probably spurred by the biting petrol scarcity in Lagos; as well as other parts of the country, with many enduring long queues to buy.
Our correspondent reveals that fuel racketeers and black-market operators have taken full advantage of the situation; hiking the price of the commodity by as much as 800% in some locations in Lagos.
In addition, some fuel stations have also notably sold the product at higher rate than the pump price of N163; even as the Federal Government recently revealed that there is no official increase in the price of petrol.
