The Department of State Services (DSS) has given a 48-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and oil marketers to resolve the ongoing petrol distribution crisis otherwise, it will takeover.

The DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya disclosed this on Thursday after a meeting with stakeholders at the service headquarters, Abuja.

Afunanya noted that the secret police would commence operations across the country if the queue persists at various filling stations after the deadline.

He said the NNPC agreed that there is enough product that will serve Nigerians during and after the Yuletide season.

He also added that the petrol scarcity affects the security of the country

Stakeholders at the meeting include, NNPC, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

Others are Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum Tanker Driver (PTD).

A few weeks ago, the country has been battling petrol scarcity, spreading to several parts of the country.

Although, IPMAN said the scarcity was caused by the shortage of petrol at NNPC depots, the State-Owned oil firm had said the ongoing road projects in Lagos affected distribution.

According to reports, the NNPC has received new cargos and started nationwide distribution.