The Adamawa State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has threatened industrial showdown over seizure of petrol products by personnel of the Nigeria Customs Services in the state
IPMAN alleges that Customs’ Anti-Smuggling Unit, Operation Whirlwind have abandoned their routine duties along borderlines to targeting legitimate businesses in metropolitan and local government areas, leading to financial losses, artificial scarcity, and hike in product prices.
The state’s IPMAN Chairman, Alh. Dahiru Buba stated this on Saturday, saying five of his trucks transporting petrol were seized by the customs in the state
Alhaji Buba further noted that six more of his trucks carrying PMS were seized by the Operation Whirlwind and he had written to the CGC for the second time.
According to him, he is yet to receive any response from his letters, alleging further that several other illegal seizures were made at various privately owned filling stations aside from his trucks.
The Chairman then called on the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and Governor Kefas Agbo to intervene while he urged the Customs Service to stop its actions.
Buba added that the union would not hesitate to embark on industrial action by all petroleum product stakeholders if their concerns were not addressed by June 25, 2024.
The association emphasised that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) signed into law by President Bola Tinubu deregulates petroleum products, maintaining that there should be no government interference in the monitoring or sales of such products.