Fuel scarcity: Black markets operate as call points

Despite the degree of surveillance mounted by both uniform and plainclothed security agents in Gombe state, the prohibited petroleum black market operation is on the increase as hawkers have devised several ways of beating the security agents.
An investigation carried out by Sunday Triumph correspondent, shows that the black market operators will ever remain innovative in outsmarting the police and other relevant agencies for their business to continue.
In Gombe one would mistaken a black market stand for an articulated commercial phone call centre with an umbrella stand and sign boards, which is used as a disguise by the illegal fuel hawkers in order to beat the police.
Another method adopted by the banned hawkers is the use of polythene bags, where a litre of petroleum product is bagged and sold secretly to motorists.
However, when contacted by Sunday Triumph, Bala Barwa, a black market operator, said they had to go to that extent, because they have families to take care of, he continued: "If at all we want to survive, we must resort to any crookish method, so as to maintain the only source of our income"
Amaka Okoraji, a commercial call operator, confessed to Sunday Triumph that the hawkers make use of her business stand to hide fuel and sell, though, only to the known buyers.      She further said in pidgin English: "Oga i dey fear o, but i dey get small small commission, na de thing wey de make me gree o"
All efforts to contact the police to hear the next step to be taken toward checkmating the worrisome situation proved abortive.