Nigerian soldiers take over Capital Oil, load drums with fuel

Officials of the Nigerian Army on Monday took over the Ojodu Berger outlet of Capital Oil, buying petroleum products in drums, after scaring away thousands of consumers, according to The Punch

The armed personnel came pretending to maintain peace and order, but they soon abandoned their primary responsibility and started buying fuel in drums.

They shoved, maltreated and chased off those who were on queue to tend to themselves.

The military officials who were fully dressed had taken over the only two pumps that dispensed the Premium Motor Spirit.

There was an unregistered white Isuzu truck the soldiers had been using for the ‘deal’ and this truck had visited the filling station for the fourth time and each time bought fuel.

The fourth truck was loaded at 8:50pm on Monday night.

The vehicle, on each visit, left with at least 14 drums and dozens of gallons filled with fuel.

Helpless consumers, some of who slept at the filling station, suspected the soldiers were buying fuel to sell to sell in Lagos black market.

Those who complained about what was going on were severely beaten

By 9pm on Monday, not more than a hundred cars left the station with fuel.

- Punch