The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Adamawa chapter, has warned of a potential strike following the seizure and auctioning of petrol products by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in the state.
IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Ukadike Chinedu, voiced frustration over the issue in a media interview. He claimed the Customs improperly confiscated legally purchased petrol products that were headed to local filling stations. Despite the products having the necessary documentation, Chinedu said Customs went ahead with the seizures, without any apparent violations.
“Customs recently auctioned petroleum products in Yola, and our marketers are distressed. Some of these products were legally sourced from refineries and headed to stations far from the borders,” Chinedu said. He also questioned Customs’ authority to seize the shipments and warned, “Marketers may strike if this continues.”
Chinedu rejected claims that the products were seized near border areas, calling them false. “Communities and stations depend on these products,” he stated. “The Petroleum Industry Act guarantees the free movement of petroleum products within Nigeria. Customs should only seize products if they can’t be delivered to legitimate stations.”
The dispute began after Customs announced the seizure of 199,495 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), valued at about N199.5 million, last Thursday. This was part of Operation Whirlwind, a joint effort with the National Security Adviser’s office and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to combat petroleum smuggling.
At a press briefing, Customs Comptroller General Bashir Adeniyi explained that the products were seized during an intelligence-led operation targeting smuggling networks. The products were later auctioned to local residents at N630 per liter, while 25-litre jerrycans sold for N10,000 each.
IPMAN maintains that the auctioned products were not smuggled and complied with regulations. Marketers have called for an immediate resolution, warning that failure to address the issue could lead to a strike.
