Lagos — Everyday is for the thief but one day is for the owner, says an old adage. This adage aptly describes the fate that befell operators of two illegal fuel depots on Tuesday in Lagos as the long arm of the Department of Petroleum Resources caught up with them and they were immediately shut down.

The depots, identified as F&B Oil and Gas, and Victory Petroleum were accused of operating in defiance of the Petroleum Industry Act, while another filling station, belonging to African Petroleum (AP) was also found guilty of profiteering by way of under-dispensing products to consumers, and therefore, sealed accordingly.

The department, which regulates activities in the petroleum industry, said that the facilities were not duly registered with government, and therefore, had no approval to operate in the industry.

The DPR's Terminals, Depots and Jetties Operations Manager, Mr. Patrick Emordi who briefed newsmen during the department's routine on-the-spot assessment of oil facilities in Lagos, said that the unscrupulous operators were suspected to be dealing in adulterated products, thereby endangering the lives of Nigerians.

"We were alerted that there are some people mixing products around this area, so we acted swiftly. On getting there, we found that they were truly operating illegally. They have no DPR license to operate."