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Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, CG NSCDC

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, is collaborating with Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, to end fuel scarcity in Katsina State.

The spokesperson of the command, Mohammed Tukur-Abdara confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Katsina.

The newly deployed state Commandant of the Corps, Jamilu Abdu-Indabawa had met with officials of association in the state to agree on ways to end the fuel scarcity.

The commandant informed the marketers that it was an act of sabotage to divert petroleum products allocated to the state.

Mr Abdul-Indabawa also warned the marketers against hoarding or selling the products to black marketers who smuggle it to neighbouring countries.

He expressed the determination of the command to tackle the menace in line with the core mandate of the NSCDC.

The commandant said the continuing fuel scarcity in the state has caused untold suffering on citizens who waste precious hours on fuel queues.

Mr Abdu-Indabawa re-echoed the commitment of NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi to cripple the activities of economic saboteurs and criminals through proper surveillance.

He appealed to the general public to be patient and cooperate with the Command as it strives to hold all stakeholders accountable and ensure improvement in the fuel supply.

He appreciated the readiness of IPMAN, led by Abbas Hamza, to fully cooperate with the command to ensure uninterrupted supply and sale of petrol in the state.

In his response, the IPMAN chairman said that the association was doing its best to tackle the problem of diversion and smuggling of petroleum products in the state.

He assured that they were abiding by Katsina state government’s directive forbidding the sale of petroleum products to black marketers.