- IPMAN in Adamawa State decries Nigeria Customs Service’s anti-smuggling unit for targeting legitimate businesses, causing financial losses and fuel scarcity
- IPMAN Chairman Alhaji Dahiru Buba seeks intervention from authorities, citing unlawful truck seizures and stressing deregulation under the Petroleum Industry Bill
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Adamawa State has voiced strong objections over alleged harassment by the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) anti-smuggling unit, Operation Whirlwind.
During a press conference in Yola, IPMAN Chairman Alhaji Dahiru Buba accused customs officers of abandoning their border duties to target legitimate businesses in urban and local areas. He said this has led to financial losses, artificial scarcity, and increased prices of petroleum products.
Buba reported that five of his Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) trucks were seized, prompting him to write to the Comptroller General of Customs. He stated, “Four of them were eventually returned with an apology letter.”
He also disclosed that Operation Whirlwind had seized six more of his PMS trucks. For this, he has written to the CGC again but has yet to receive a response. Buba added that numerous illegal seizures occurred at various privately owned filling stations.
He called on National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu to intervene and urge customs to halt their unlawful actions.
IPMAN stressed that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, deregulated petroleum products. Therefore, there should be no government interference in their monitoring or sales.
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