The Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested four suspects for smuggling approximately 1,571 litres of petroleum products.

According to the NSCDC, the products, which were loaded in jerrycans, were allegedly being illegally transported to areas prone to banditry.

Sani Mustapha, the state NSCDC boss, disclosed in a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Umar Muhammad, that the arrests were made at two separate locations.

Two filling station pump attendants and two buyers were apprehended in the state’s Birnin Magaji and Tsafe Local Government Areas.

Muhammad stated that, in addition to transporting fuel from unauthorised locations, the suspects violated the Executive Order prohibiting the sale of petroleum products in jerrycans within Zamfara State.

He said that two suspects were apprehended in Birnin Magaji with 1,296 litres of fuel worth approximately N1.4m, while the other two were arrested in Tsafe with 275 litres, valued at about N324,000.

“Today, we bring before you four suspects apprehended for illegal dealings in PMS in large quantities, violating the National and State Executive Order on petroleum product sales to retailers in jerrycans,” he stated.

Mohammed added that the suspects would be charged in court upon the completion of the investigation.