The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, has ordered the arrest of the host of an event in the Oniru area of the state where petrol was handed out as souvenirs to attendees in kegs.
The police spokesman in the state, Adekunle Ajisebutu, made this known in a statement on Saturday, adding that was “reprehensible”.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Lagos Safety Commission and the Rapid Response Squad sealed off Havillah Event Centre, Oniru, where petrol was used as a souvenir at a party “for contravening public safety rules”.
This was after the Lagos State Information Commissioner, Gbenga Omotoso, said the state’s safety commission was investigating a viral video showing kegs of petrol handed out as souvenirs at the event centre.
The commissioner had also said it was dangerous to indulge in such practice and therefore, advised Lagosians to avoid actions that can lead to loss of lives and property.
The kegs with different colours were branded, ‘The Erelu Okin Foundation Installation Party’ and had the photo of a fair-skinned lady emblazoned on them.
The police, in its statement, said the action was regrettable and endangered the lives of the people of Lagos.
The statement was titled, ‘Re: Viral video showing Distribution of PMS as souvenir’.
“It’s regrettable that in spite of series of warnings and sensitisations carried out by the Police and other relevant government agencies, some individuals could be handling such combustible substance in a public place in total disregard to safety of lives and properties.
“Still concerned about the safety, and protection of lives and properties of citizens, the Lagos State Police Command once again appeals to citizens to avoid this kind of condemnable act in the name of generosity.
“Although the event centre where the distribution of the souvenirs took place has been located and subsequently sealed, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc, mnim, has in addition, ordered the arrest of all persons involved in this regrettable and reprehensible act.”
For weeks, Lagosians as well as other Nigerians have been gasping in petrol scarcity, despite the Federal Government’s many promises that sufficient fuel has been released to oil marketers.
Long queues have persisted at filling stations for over a month even as motorists buy a litre of petrol for over N200 in some places. The astronomic rise in the cost of fuel and the difficulty to get Premium Motor Spirit has made transport fares jump up with commuters groaning under the high cost of movement.
Credit: PUNCH