Fuel Scarcity: Why DSS Ultimatum Is An Empty Threat — Falana

Popular lawyer and activist Femi Falana has called the recent ultimatum given by the Department of State Services (DSS) to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and oil marketers an empty threat.

The ultimatum was revealed on Thursday by DSS Spokesman, Peter Afunanya, who stated that failure to make the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) available to citizens across the nation would prompt them into action.

During an appearance on Channels TV's 'Sunrise Daily' on Friday, Falana who faulted the ultimatum added that it would not work as there is no sanction for impunity in Nigeria.

According to him, people will know it is an empty threat because no one will be arrested.

“As you know, every year, at the end of the year – once it is Christmas – there must be an artificial supply of fuel.

“The ultimatum will not work because there is no sanction for impunity in Nigeria.

“The State Security Service (SSS) does not operate under the law in Nigeria. It does its own thing.

"There is nobody to call the agency to order. They will know that it’s just an empty threat because nobody is going to be arrested and prosecuted to teach a lesson.

“The other day, toxic fuel was brought to Nigeria. The government promised, ‘We’re going to deal with them, it will never happen again.’ Was anybody arrested? Was anybody prosecuted?

"It’s the same thing because they know the people behind it. It’s like oil theft. They know them.”