Soldiers In Shameful Fuel Racket In Lagos As Scarcity Lingers

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News From The State Tuesday, May 26th, 2015

By Niyi Adeyi – The stifling lingering fuel scarcity nationwide, took another serious dimension Monday night when some men of the Nigerian Army caused confusion in the outlet of an independent oil marketer (Capital Oil) in Berger area of Lagos, as well as engage in fuel rackets.

The Military men who arrived the outlet already besieged by the desperate and anxious customers, initially giving the impression of maintaining law and order in the outlet, suddenly and forcefully dispersed the customers, to gain proper access into the premises and thereafter loaded all the drums and containers inside the truck they came with.

The soldiers who were fully dressed in their uniform were very daring all through the illegal operations, leaving the confused and perplexed customers wondering who the Military men were working for.

The scarcity in the country took its damaging toll Monday on Banks, telecommunication firms, law firms and so many SMEs, as they closed very early as they had limited fuel and diesel for their operations.

In the case of Banks, another reason for the early closure was anticipation of violent revolt against them by hoodlums.

In Omole area of Ikeja Local Council of Lagos State, some protesters carried out peaceful protest, chanting Anti-President Jonathan songs.

Some radio stations have since Sunday stopped operations or only engage in partial transmission, as they have run short of diesel and have been finding it difficult to get new supply.

In the meantime, despite the suspension of NUPENG and PENGASSAN nationwide strike and directive by the Senate Committee on Downstream sector to oil marketers to commence fuel lifting and threat by the Federal Government to revoke the license of any the marketer that failed to comply, Lagosians and Nigerians are still groaning under pains, as the products remained scarce, as at Tuesday morning, while transport fares remain high, leaving very few vehicles plying the roads, while commuters wait for hours at the bus stops to be transported to their offices and locations of their businesses.