Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have arrested one Umar Mohammed,51, suspected to be one of the fuel suppliers to bandits in the State.
The suspect was arrested alongside Adamu Atiku, 35, who is a fuel attendant of Muhabbat filling station in Bosso Estate in Minna.
Spokesperson of the command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, October 8, said that the suspects were arrested on a tip-off.
“On 3/10/2021 at about 1015hrs, acting on a tip-off, that some individuals were sighted buying petroleum product inside a 25-litre jerrycan at Muhabbat filling station, Tudun-Fulani Minna,” he stated.
“Upon the receipt of the information, police operatives attached to Bosso Division swung into action and went to the filling station where one Umar Mohammed age 51yrs ‘m’, a fuel black market dealer of Gussassi village, and Adamu Atiku age 35yrs, a fuel attendant of Muhabbat filling station ‘m’ of Bosso Estate, Minna.”
“They were arrested with ten jerrycans of 25 litres each, filled with petroleum product and a tricycle with Reg.No. RJA 444 WZ to convey the fuel to Gussassi village in Maikunkele area contrary to the Niger State Government Executive Order as contained in State Government press release dated 31st August 2021 banning the sale of petroleum product in large quantity in jerrycans or any other containers at filling station in the State.”
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime while Umar Mohammed claimed that he sells the petroleum product to motorcycle operators at Gussassi village and its environs.
All suspects will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is concluded, the PPRO added.
