The Kwara command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned petroleum marketers against hoarding and selling fuel above the recommended pump price.

The warning is contained in a statement on Sunday signed by Babawale Afolabi, spokesperson for the command.

“They should not create artificial scarcity, through hoarding of the products,” the statement said.

It quoted the commandant Makinde Ayinla as giving the warning while inspecting petrol stations in Ilorin.

“The command will not hesitate to seal any erring filing station and prosecute the owners,” he said.

The commandant, represented by Yusuf Ayinde, head of Anti-Vandal Unit, read the riot act to the stations that reportedly refused to sell fuel.

“Based on intelligence, some filling stations had been accused of selling petrol for as much as N250, which is above the recommended pump price of N165,” he said.

The statement added that some fuel stations “were caught in the act and were ordered to revert to the recommended price.”

Some of the stations visited were NNPC in the Surulere Area, Topland and Demo at Amilegbe, Total Comfort and Oilfield at Ita-Amo.

The statement also said the exercise would continue on Monday with the inspection of more filling stations.

(NAN)